Evaluation of bone response to titanium-coated polymethyl methacrylate resin (PMMA) implants by X-ray tomography

Abstract

High-resolution three-dimensional data about the bone response to oral implants can be obtained by using microfocus computer tomography. However, a disadvantage is that metallic implants cause streaking artifacts due to scattering of X-rays, which prevents an accurate evaluation of the interfacial bone-to-implant contact. It has been suggested that the use of thin titanium coatings deposited on polymeric implants can offer an alternative option for analyzing bone contact using micro-CT imaging. Consequently, the aim of the current study was to investigate bone behavior to titanium-coated polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) implants by micro-CT and histological evaluation. For the experiment titanium-coated PMMA implants were used. The implants had a machined threaded appearance and were provided with a 400-500 nm thick titanium coating. The implants were inserted in the right or left tibia of 10 goats. After an implantation period of 12 weeks the implants were retrieved and prepared for micro-computer tomography (lCT), light microscopy, and X-ray microanalysis. The micro-CT showed that the screwthreads and typical implant configuration were well maintained through the installation procedure. Overall, histological responses showed that the titanium-coated implants were well tolerated and caused no atypical tissue response. In addition, the bone was seen in direct contact with the titanium-coated layer. The X-ray microanalysis results confirmed the light microscopical data. In conclusion, the obtained results proof the final use of titanium-coated PMMA implants for evaluation of the bone-implant response using lCT. However, this study also confirms that for a proper analysis of the bone-implant interface the additional use of microscopical techniques is still required.

Numerical simulation of ultrasonic wave propagation for the evaluation of dental implant biomechanical stability

“…However, resolution problems (Bragger et al, 1992;Mombelli and Lang, 1994) due to diffraction phenomena (Shalabi et al, 2007) around the bone implant interface prevent using x-ray based approaches to measure the interface properties. Absence of ionizing radiation, inexpensiveness, portability, and noninvasiveness are potential advantages of biomechanical techniques over x-ray based modalities.…”

Osteoporotic Rat Models for Evaluation of Osseointegration of Bone Implants

“…61,62 However, a disadvantage of histological examination is that it only provides a 2D information of a 3D structure. 63 High-resolution 3D methods via the ex vivo micro-CT can give further insight into the trabecular bone structure around implants. 64,65 However, it has to be emphasized that metallic scattering artifacts of X-rays prevents an accurate evaluation of trabecular bone in the close vicinity to the implant surface.…”

Formation of hydrated layers in PMMA thin films in aqueous solution

“…Because of this, information about the response of these films to a wide range of external stimuli is becoming more and more important. Although most applications are in dry environments, analysis of PMMA films in aqueous solutions is of relevance because of their potential as coatings for various types of medical implants [5][6][7] and general use in other applications where protective surface coatings in aqueous solution are required. Studying PMMA films in situ in aqueous solutions is challenging, but neutron reflectometry has been previously used in various studies which characterise thin films of hydrated polymers prepared via spin-coating, in particular with studies of glass transition temperature (T G ) [11,12] and solvent retention [13,14].…”