title: Three-dimensional microstructure of human alveolar trabecular bone: a micro-computed tomography study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The microstructural characteristics of trabecular bone were identified using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), in order to develop a potential strategy for implant surface improvement to facilitate osseointegration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Alveolar bone specimens from the cadavers of 30 humans were scanned by high-resolution micro-CT and reconstructed. Volumes of interest chosen within the jaw were classified according to Hounsfield units into 4 bone quality categories. Several structural parameters were measured and statistically analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Alveolar bone specimens with D1 bone quality had significantly higher values for all structural parameters than the other bone quality categories, except for trabecular thickness (Tb.Th). The percentage of bone volume, trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), and trabecular number (Tb.N) varied significantly among bone quality categories. Tb.Sp varied markedly across the bone quality categories (D1: 0.59±0.22 mm, D4: 1.20±0.48 mm), whereas Tb.Th had similar values (D1: 0.30±0.08 mm, D4: 0.22±0.05 mm).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bone quality depended on Tb.Sp and number-that is, endosteal space architecture-rather than bone surface and Tb.Th. Regardless of bone quality, Tb.Th showed little variation. These factors should be taken into account when developing individualized implant surface topographies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Chonbuk National University School of Dentistry, Jeonju, Korea .
authors.forename: Ji-Hyun
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8937-4011
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division in Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Department of Oral Biology, BK21 PLUS Project, Human Identification Research Center, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Korea .
authors.forename: Hee-Jin
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1139-6261
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Chonbuk National University School of Dentistry, Jeonju, Korea.; Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Chonbuk National University-Biomedical Research Institute of Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong-Ho
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3929-4467
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yun
keywords: Cadaver; Dental implants; X-ray microtomography