title: Combined microcomputed tomography, biomechanical and histomorphometric analysis of the peri-implant bone: a pilot study in minipig model.
abstract: To present a practical approach that combines biomechanical tests, microcomputed tomography (μCT) and histomorphometry, providing quantitative results on bone structure and mechanical properties in a minipig model, in order to investigate the specific response to an innovative dental biomaterial.
  
  
  
  Titanium implants with innovative three-dimensional scaffolds were inserted in the tibias of 4 minipigs. Primary stability and osseointegration were investigated by means of insertion torque (IT) values, resonance frequency analysis (RFA), bone-to-implant contact (BIC), bone mineral density (BMD) and stereological measures of trabecular bone.
  
  
  
  A significant positive correlation was found between IT and RFA (r=0.980, p=0.0001). BMD at the implant sites was 18% less than the reference values (p=0.0156). Peri-implant Tb.Th was 50% higher, while Tb.N was 50% lower than the reference zone (p<0.003) and they were negatively correlated (r=-0.897, p=0.006).
  
  
  
  μCT increases evaluation throughput and offers the possibility for qualitative three-dimensional recording of the bone-implant system as well as for non-destructive evaluation of bone architecture and mineral density, in combination with conventional analysis methods. The proposed multimodal approach allows to improve accuracy and reproducibility for peri-implant bone measurements and could support future investigations.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council, Via T. De Amicis 95, 80145 Naples, Italy; CEINGE scarl, Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy. Electronic address: matteo.gramanzini@ibb.cnr.it.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gramanzini
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council, Via T. De Amicis 95, 80145 Naples, Italy; CEINGE scarl, Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy. Electronic address: sara.gargiulo@ibb.cnr.it.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gargiulo
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, School of Medicine, University "Federico II", Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy. Electronic address: fernandozarone@mac.com.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zarone
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council, Via T. De Amicis 95, 80145 Naples, Italy. Electronic address: rosario.megna@ibb.cnr.it.
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Megna
authors.affiliation: Department of Architecture and Industrial Design, Second University of Naples, Borgo San Lorenzo, 81031 Aversa, Italy. Electronic address: antonio.apicella@unina2.it.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Apicella
authors.affiliation: Department of Architecture and Industrial Design, Second University of Naples, Borgo San Lorenzo, 81031 Aversa, Italy. Electronic address: raffaella.aversa@unina2.it.
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aversa
authors.affiliation: IRCCS SDN, Via E. Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy. Electronic address: marsalva@unina.it.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salvatore
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council, Via T. De Amicis 95, 80145 Naples, Italy. Electronic address: marcello.mancini@ibb.cnr.it.
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mancini
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, School of Medicine, University "Federico II", Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; Department of Architecture and Industrial Design, Second University of Naples, Borgo San Lorenzo, 81031 Aversa, Italy. Electronic address: errestino@libero.it.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sorrentino
authors.affiliation: Department of Advanced Medical Sciences, University "Federico II", Via Pansini 5, 80145 Naples, Italy; CEINGE scarl, Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy. Electronic address: brunetti@unina.it.
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brunetti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D015921:Dental Implants; D006801:Humans; D016348:Osseointegration; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D019415:Torque; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants
keywords: Dental implant; Histomorphometry; Insertion torque; Minipig model; Resonance frequency analysis; μCT