A LIGHT AND LASER-SCANNING MICROSCOPY STUDY OF BONE HYDROXYAPATITE-COATED TITANIUM IMPLANTS INTERFACE - HISTOCHEMICAL EVIDENCE OF UNMINERALIZED MATERIAL IN HUMANS/

The authors describe a light and laser scanning microscopy study of hy droxyapatite-coated titanium implants retrieved from humans. A histoch emical technique, using von Kossa and basic fuchsin, allowed clear dif ferentiation between mineralized bone and unmineralized bone matrix. T he bone-hydroxyapatite (HA) interface presented variable features: in some areas the mineralized bone was directly apposed to the HA surface , while in others an unmineralized red-stained material, probably oste oid, was interposed. Laser scanning microscopy confirmed these finding s showing a thin layer of fluorescent material at the interface. (C) 1 994 John Wiley and Sons, Inc.