title: Histological and synchrotron radiation-based computed microtomography study of 2 human-retrieved direct laser metal formed titanium implants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The macroscopic structure of bone has been traditionally studied through x-ray radiography or x-ray tomography. However, the resolution limits of these techniques do not enable the reconstruction of the composite bone architecture at the nanometer level. Compared with histomorphometry, x-ray micro-CT has shown its efficiency in providing nondestructive and rapid 3D images and measurements on bone microstructure. Micro-CT higher resolution has been achieved with synchrotron radiation-based computed microtomography (SRμCT).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was a histological and SRμCT analysis of 2 porous titanium implants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two direct laser metal forming titanium implants were inserted in the posterior maxilla of a patient and retrieved after 2 months. One of these implants was treated to obtain thin ground sections, whereas the other underwent a SRμCT evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The histological results, showing that the implant surface presented superficial debris and particle inclusions in the surrounding tissue close to the bone area, were confirmed by micro-CT investigations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SRμCT allowed high resolution with good sample penetration and depth of focus and an evaluation of the relative arrangement of structures that cannot be determined by 2D imaging.
authors.affiliation: University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mangano
authors.forename: Adriano
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piattelli
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mangano
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rustichelli
authors.forename: Jamil Awad
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Shibli
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Iezzi
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giuliani
mesh_terms: D000497:Alloys; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000502:physiology; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry*; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D018715:Microscopy, Video / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D008904:Miniaturization; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000473:pathology; D010011:Osteocytes / Q000473:pathology; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D016062:Porosity; D013499:Surface Properties; D017356:Synchrotrons; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; D003722:Dental Alloys; D015921:Dental Implants; C031462:titanium alloy (TiAl6V4); D014025:Titanium