Histomorphometric analysis of hydroxyapatite-coated implants in rabbit cortical bone using longitudinal and transverse histologic sections.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the osseointegration percentage of biomimetic hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated implants on longitudinal and transverse histologic sections using scanning electron microscopy.


METHODS
Ten commercially pure titanium dental implants, measuring 3.75 mm in diameter and 10 mm in length, were coated with HA by the biomimetic process and installed on the proximal metaphysis of the right tibia of 10 adult New Zealand female rabbits (Oryctolagus cunniculus). After a 3-month healing period, the animals were killed and the implants were removed together with the neighboring bone tissue. The specimens were than dehydrated on a crescent concentration of ethanol solution and embedded on resin. The osseointegration percentage of biomimetic HA-coated implants on 1 longitudinal and 1 transverse section were compared, using scanning electron microscopy and computerized histomorphometry.


RESULTS
It was verified that there were no statistically significant differences between the results of the different histological section directions (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, in this study, the direction of histological sections did not affect bone-implant percentage.
Rebollal
Julio
J
Soares
Gloria de Almeida
Gde A
Vidigal
Guaracilei Maciel
GM
D000818:Animals; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry*; D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D016591:Histocytological Preparation Techniques; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology; D016613:Plastic Embedding; D011817:Rabbits; D013499:Surface Properties; D013977:Tibia / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials; D017886:Durapatite; D014025:Titanium