Metals, plastics, and bioceramics are the three main types of materials used as implants in biomedicine. In orthopedic surgery metals are used most frequently, while in other specialities different types of materials, including combinations of materials, have been tried. Dental implants are frequently associated with both acute complications and those arising during long-term states of tissue healing. It is clear that detailed studies on both implant surgical procedures and the biocompatibility of the materials used are necessary.

   The aim of this report is to describe the present state of knowledge of the interface zone between tissue and titanium implants. We have mainly worked with endoprostheses or dental implants of pure, nonalloyed titanium that were manufactured accordind to well-defined procedures, were all stable at the time of removal, and were removed for various reasons after successful clinical function of up to 7 years. We also performed parallel studies on experimental animals in order to carry out analyses that were not ethically possible in human subjects. Aspects of the molecular organization of the tissue-titanium interface will also be discussed. (J Prosthet Dent July - 1983)