title: Introducing a novel analysis technique for osseointegrated dental implants retrieved 29 years postsurgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate osseointegration of oral implants, which were retrieved from a patient after 29 years in situ, we use novel three-dimensional analysis methods and visualization techniques that supplement conventional two-dimensional analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample processing involved nondecalcification and embedment in resin. Conventional two-dimensional histomorphometrical methods were conducted. Additionally, the quantification was extended to three-dimensional by using synchrotron radiation micro-computed tomography (SRµCT) technique and two relevant visualization methods for the three-dimensional data were introduced.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The three-dimensional results involved three-dimensional quantification and visualization of two implant samples with methods beyond state-of-the-art. Traditional two-dimensional histomorphometrical results revealed a mean bone-implant contact (BIC) of about 50%. In most samples, bone area (BA) was lower inside the treads compared with out-folded mirror images, which were confirmed by the three-dimensional quantification. The BIC along four selected regions showed highest percentages in the bottom/valley region and lowest in the thread-peak region. Qualitative observations revealed ongoing bone remodeling areas in all samples. The apical hole demonstrated high osseointegration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The novel techniques including an animation and an out-folding of BIC and BA enabled a simultaneous visualization of the three-dimensional material obtained from SRµCT data. However, the two-dimensional histological sections were needed for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of osseointegration and, thus, both methods are considered equally important.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Image Analysis, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden. hamid@cb.uu.se
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sarve
authors.forename: Bertil
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Friberg
authors.forename: Gunilla
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Borgefors
authors.forename: Carina B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Johansson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000502:physiology; D002933:Cineradiography / Q000379:methods; D004396:Coloring Agents; D015921:Dental Implants; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology*; D016613:Plastic Embedding / Q000379:methods; D011754:Pyronine; D017356:Synchrotrons; D014048:Tolonium Chloride; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D015921:Dental Implants; D014048:Tolonium Chloride; D011754:Pyronine