Section plane selection influences the results of histomorphometric studies: the example of dental implants

This study was designed to determine and statistically analyze bone-to-implant contact (BIC) values for human specimens segmented in at least two different locations. Samples of human bone with fractured osseointegrated implants were obtained from six patients. Sections were prepared, dehydrated, and resin infiltrated. Undecalcified bone sections were produced using the thin-section technique according to Donath, ultimately obtaining a section thickness of approximately 20 μm. Fifteen specimens were available for histomorphometry. The bone sections were digitized and analyzed. The bone-to-metal contact (BMC) parameter was determined histomorphometrically. The BMC was returned in terms of the visibly bone-covered implant surfaces as a percentage of the total implant surface shown. The values obtained for the six implants were arranged as six maximum-distance pairs and tested for significance using the t-test for dependent samples. The mean difference in BIC was 11.69±9.79%. The two-sided test showed a significant difference (p=0.033). The accidental or deliberate choice of section plane for a bone-implant block has an influence on the BIC value. To make BIC values more comparable, a standardization of section planes is desirable.