Histomorphometric Analysis of Hydroxyapatite-Coated Implants in Rabbit Cortical Bone Using Longitudinal and Transverse Histologic Sections

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the osseointegration percentage of biomimetic hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated implants on longitudinal and transverse histologic sections using scanning electron microscopy. Materials and Methods: Ten commercially pure titanium dental implants, measuring 3.75 mm in diameter and 10 mm in length, were coated with HA by the biomimetic process and installed on the proximal metaphysis of the right tibia of 10 adult New Zealand female rabbits (Oryctolagus cunniculus). After a 3-month healing period, the animals were killed and the implants were removed together with the neighboring bone tissue. The specimens were than dehydrated on a crescent concentration of ethanol solution and embedded on resin. The osseointegration percentage of biomimetic HA-coated implants on 1 longitudinal and 1 transverse section were compared, using scanning electron microscopy and computerized histomorphometry. Results: It was verified that there were no statistically significant differences between the results of the different histological section directions (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Thus, in this study, the direction of histological sections did not affect bone-implant percentage. (Implant Dent 2010;19:137-144)