The three-dimensional bone interface of an osseointegrated implant. II: A morphometric evaluation after three months...

To clarify the three-dimensional bone structure around two plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite-coated titanium implants loaded for 3 months in a monkey, computer graphic evaluation was performed after computer-assisted integration of 70 serial buccolingual sections at 75 microm intervals. Quantitative analysis of the bone contact ratio (BCR) was also conducted with programmed software. The graphics revealed the macroscopic bone structure. The BCR values varied in portions from the top to the bottom of the implant and in the buccolingual or mesiodistal directions. Because these two implants had more cortical bone at the top portion in the lingual direction, the BCR was greatest in the lingual direction. The BCR values at the bottom portion of the two implants were greater than those at the top portions along the horizontal plane, which suggested the effect of loading. The lowest BCR value was observed at the top portion of one implant at a site where moderate periimplant gingivitis was observed. The total surface BCR value for the implants was 69.3% and 64.5%. These results provide additional detailed information on the bone structure around the hydroxyapatite-coated implant after short-term loading.