Histological comparison between laser microtome sections and ground specimens of implant-containing tissues

Evaluation of bone regeneration and peri-implant bone apposition can only be accomplished using laboratory techniques that allow assessment of decalcified hard tissue. It is known that 5-15μm thick sections can be prepared with the cutting-grinding technique, but their production causes a high material loss (≥0.5mm) between two sections and requires years of training and experience. With the development of the laser microtome it has become possible to cut decalcified bone without high sample material loss. Many scientific publications deal with the application possibilities of the individual methods So far, there is no comparison work between the cutting-grinding technique and laser microtomy. For this reason, new tissue sections were prepared by laser microtome and analyzed histologically from samples that had been previously been prepared by the cutting-grinding technique. Using both methods, it could be demonstrated that the different implants were completely surrounded by a connective tissue layer. In sections (50-100μm) produced by the routine cutting-grinding technique, magnifications up to 20× revealed no detailed histological information because cell structures could not be clearly identified. By contrast, laser microtome sections (10μm) revealed these information as e.g. osteocytes are already clearly visible at 10× magnification. Furthermore, the interface between implant and the surrounding bone could be clearly demonstrated due to visible demarcation between a capsule and connective tissue. At the histological level, laser microtome sections were clearly superior at thicknesses ≥30μm compared to sections produced by the cutting-grinding technique. In addition, laser microtomy has the advantages of time saving and markedly reduced sample loss, especially in cases of the production of serial sections.