Fig. 1

Mouse model of ligature-induced experimental peri-implantitis. (a) Tooth extraction: left maxillary first and second molars extracted at 4 weeks old and the tooth extraction socket healed well with smooth gingiva surface after 6 weeks post-extraction. Implant placement: implant was put in alveolar bone without flap elevation. Ligature placement: at 4 weeks post-implant, 7-0 ligatures were applied under the fixture head. Gingival injection: injections for animals were administered three times on days 3, 6, and 9 during 14 days ligation period. Sample collection: 14 days post-ligation, the gingival tissues and the skulls were collected. (b) Images depicting processing steps of the experimental design (scale bar, 500 μm)