Early Human Bone Response to Laser Metal Sintering Surface Topography: A Histologic Report
This histologic report evaluated the early human bone response to a direct laser metal sintering implant surface retrieved after a short period of healing. A selective laser sintering procedure using a Ti-6Al-4V alloy powder with a particle size of 25–45 µm prepared this surface topography. One experimental microimplant was inserted into the anterior mandible of a patient during conventional implant surgery of the jaw. The microimplant and surrounding tissues were removed after 2 months of unloaded healing and were prepared for histomorphometric analysis. Histologically, the peri-implant bone appeared in close contact with the implant surface, whereas marrow spaces could be detected in other areas along with prominently stained cement lines. The mean of bone-to-implant contact was 69.51%. The results of this histologic report suggest that the laser metal sintering surface could be a promising alternative to conventional implant surface topographies.Abstract
Figure 1. Scanning electron microphotograph of the direct laser fabrication surface topography. Figure 2. Radiographic view of the conventional implants and the experimental microimplant (arrow) placed in the anterior mandibular area. Figure 3. Retrieved microimplant and surrounding tissue after 2 months of unloaded healing.
Figure 4. (a) Histologic ground section of the direct laser fabrication microimplant surface after 2 months of healing depicts the newly formed bone, showing early maturing stages. Connecting bridges can be seen between the new bone trabeculae and the implant surface (basic fuchsin and toluidine blue, original magnification ×12). (b) A larger magnification of the lateral frame area in the section shown in (a). The arrows show the reversal lines between newly formed bone and the pristine cortical bone (basic fuchsin and toluidine blue, original magnification ×200). Figure 5. Histologic ground section depicts several osteocytes in their lacunae (arrows) in newly formed bone in the cement line (basic fuchsin and toluidine blue, original magnification ×200).
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