PREPARATION AND METHODS FOR SEQUENTIAL EVALUATION OF TITANIUM IMPLANTINTERFACES IN PLASTIC-EMBEDDED CALCIFIED BONE

Clinical, radiographic, fluorescence, histological, and electron micro scopy techniques can be utilized for a comprehensive examination of bo ne/implant interfaces. To accomplish this objective, proper fixation, processing techniques, instrument quality control, and laboratory safe ty practices should be followed at all times. This paper reviews the m ethodology that has become standard practice in our laboratory for the evaluation of bone/implant interfaces. A regimen of fluorescent bone markers was used after implant placement to study rates of bone remode ling. At sacrifice, the tissue was perfused or immersed in an aldehyde or alcohol fixative. Implants were retrieved en bloc, radiographs mad e, and tissues embedded in plastic. Tissue implant blocks were cut lon gitudinally into 300-400 mu m thick wafers with a low speed saw equipp ed with a diamond blade. The wafers were glued to plexiglass slides an d hand ground to approximately 25 mu m. Wafers were photographed with an epi-fluorescence microscope; radiographs were made in an X-ray cabi net; and the sections were stained for light microscopy evaluation. Va rious histomorphometric methods can be used to determine some variable s of tissue remodeling around the implants from photomicrographs. Spec imens prepared in this fashion can also be evaluated with a scanning o r transmission electron microscope. These combined techniques provide a comprehensive approach for the evaluation of the bone/implant interf ace.