title: Histomorphometric analysis of hydroxyapatite-coated implants in rabbit cortical bone using longitudinal and transverse histologic sections.
abstract: 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.
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rebollal
authors.forename: Gloria de Almeida
authors.initials: Gde A
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: Guaracilei Maciel
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Vidigal
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials; D017886:Durapatite; D014025:Titanium