Mechanical modification of dental implants to control bone retention

Researchers and clinicians have empirically used surface nano- and microtexturing techniques to enhance osseointegration but have never fully understood how these surfaces work. Compiling knowledge gained from cell and molecular biology, and tissue engineering, this chapter presents explanations for observed effects of mechanical modification of surfaces on bone retention around implants. Cell and tissue responses to surfaces are reviewed. Both mechanical and biological explanations are presented. The chapter concludes with what has been done, and what potentially can still be done, to develop surfaces that control hard and soft tissue formation and integration of dental implants.