Fractal dimension analysis of mandibular bones: toward a morphological compatibility of implants

In addition to biological and mechanical compatibilities for promising implant materials, a morphological compatibility is proposed by the authors. It has been reported by many investigators that implant surface with appropriate roughness and pore size exhibit better bone ingrowth activities. However, these parameters cannot characterize the complexity of surface textures. In the present study, dentulous and edentulous mandibular alveolar bones were utilized. Four segments from each mandible were subjected to the Fractal Dimension (DF) analysis. It was found that the dentulous mandible showed the DF of 1.81 +/- 0.03 while the edentulous mandible exhibited DF of 1.55 +/- 0.07, indicating that the former has more complex surface texture. It was also found that there could be a linear relationship between the surface roughness and the fractal dimension.