title: Evaluation of bone-implant integration: efficiency and precision of 3 methods.
abstract: Computer-assisted planimetry, computer-assisted lineal analysis, and point-counting stereology have been compared with respect to their reproducibility and the time required to analyze bone-implant integration. Sections of 6 threaded dental implants selected from a bone augmentation experiment for their wide range of new bone formation were analyzed by each method 3 times. The bone density and percentage of osseous integration were evaluated at 4 sites around each implant section. It was found that computer-assisted planimetry demonstrated a modest but significantly greater variance (P < .05) in bone density estimates when compared to the computer-assisted lineal analysis and point-counting methods. Computer-assisted planimetry requires a different method of measuring each parameter and separate fields of view to evaluate fields distant from the implant. However, this can all be accomplished with line probes, as in computer-assisted lineal analysis, which extend from the implant surface into the surrounding alveolar bone. Whereas computer-assisted planimetry requires a separate identification of the perimeter of each field to be analyzed (next to and distant from the implant), computer-assisted lineal analysis allows expansion of the field to be evaluated without creating a new field of view. Also, following a limited learning curve, both point-counting and computer-assisted lineal analysis required less time to complete than did computer-assisted planimetry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Human Anatomy, Loma Linda University, School of Medicine, California 92354, USA.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: McMillan
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Garrett
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crigger
mesh_terms: D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000473:pathology; D000540:Alveolar Ridge Augmentation; D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D015921:Dental Implants; D004285:Dogs; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D016348:Osseointegration; D010012:Osteogenesis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants