title: Implants in bone: part II. Research on implant osseointegration: material testing, mechanical testing, imaging and histoanalytical methods.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In order to determine whether a newly developed implant material conforms to the requirements of biocompatibility, it must undergo rigorous testing. To correctly interpret the results of studies on implant material osseointegration, it is necessary to have a sound understanding of all the testing methods. The aim of this overview is to elucidate the methods that are used for the experimental evaluation of the osseointegration of implant materials.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In recent decades, there has been a constant proliferation of new materials and surface modifications in the field of dental implants. This continuous development of innovative biomaterials requires a precise and detailed evaluation in terms of biocompatibility and implant healing before clinical use. The current gold standard is in vivo animal testing on well validated animal models. However, long-term outcome studies on patients have to follow to finally validate and show patient benefit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No experimental set-up can provide answers for all possible research questions. However, a certain transferability of the results to humans might be possible if the experimental set-up is carefully chosen for the aspects and questions being investigated. To enhance the implant survival rate in the rising number of patients with chronic diseases which compromise wound healing and osseointegration, dental implant research on compromised animal models will further gain importance in future.
authors: Mund-,Kiefer- und Gesichtschirurgische Klinik Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Glückstrasse 11, 91054, Erlangen, Germany, cornelius.vonwilmowsky@uk-erlangen.de.
authors: Cornelius
authors: C
authors: von Wilmowsky
authors: Tobias
authors: T
authors: Moest
authors: Emeka
authors: E
authors: Nkenke
authors: Florian
authors: F
authors: Stelzle
authors: Karl Andreas
authors: KA
authors: Schlegel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D000069343:Bone-Implant Interface / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods*; D023421:Models, Animal; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials