Expression of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Junctional Epithelialization of Dental Implants

Objectives: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) play crucial roles in cellular signaling in proliferation and differentiation of oral mucosa. The Objective is to study the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) in junctional epithelialization of dental implants and investigate the mechanism of junctional epithelialization and the correlation between EGFR and junctional epithelialization. Methods: and material: After Beagle dogsx anterior and premolar teeth were removed, titanium implants were implanted in their mandibular alveolar on the 1st, 3 rd, 6 th, 9 th, 12 th, 15 th, 20 th and 30 th day before the dogs were sacrificed. Specimens were taken and detected by HE staining and immunohistochmical staining of PCNA and EGFR. Results: The results showed that 12 days after implantation, junctional epithelium began to form and PCNA and EGFR expressed positively. 15 days after implantation, epithelial hyperplasia tended to stabilization and the expression of days later, epithelial attachment similar to natural teeth was shown and the expression of EGFR weakened significantly. Conclusions: The study concluded that the gingiva epithelium can attach to titanium implants similar to natural teeth; the expression of EGFR is closely correlated to the junctional epithelialization of peri- implant.