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

Abstract

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.

Peri‐implant bone response to retrieved human zirconia oral implants after a 4‐year loading period: A histologic and histomorphometric evaluation of 22 cases

“…Additionally, the results are often based only on one or a few sections of the bone‐implant interface. Such measurements provide only two‐dimensional data since most of the specimen is lost during preparation and are based on the assumption that the analysis of the chosen sections is representative of the entire specimen . Hence, the optimal way to evaluate the bone‐to‐implant contact is the subject of controversial discussion .…”

“…Such measure-ments provide only two-dimensional data since most of the specimen is lost during preparation and are based on the assumption that the analysis of the chosen sections is representative of the entire specimen. 98 Hence, the optimal way to evaluate the bone-to-implant contact is the subject of controversial discussion. 99,100 Microcomputed tomography (mCT) represents a promising and non-destructive technique to visualize and quantify three-dimensional structures with reduced effort for sample preparation.…”

Agreement between Histomorphometry and Microcomputed Tomography to Assess Bone Microarchitecture of Dental Implant Sites

“…Because of anisotropy of jawbone tissue, which means it has different properties in all directions, a 2D method seems to be limited to study jawbone microarchitecture and its influence on bone quality . Another bias of 2D histomorphometric methods is the influence of the selection of the section plane . To minimize this aspect, the most central section plane of the specimens was selected to perform the measurements, in which we expected to have the specimens' greatest dimensions.…”

“…A third dimension can only be added on the basis of stereology . Measurement performed in histomorphometric analysis can be influenced by the selection of the section plane . As another limitation, histomorphometry is destructive and does not allow for secondary measurements of a sample .…”

“…15 Measurement performed in histomorphometric analysis can be influenced by the selection of the section plane. 16 As another limitation, histomorphometry is destructive and does not allow for secondary measurements of a sample. 3,13 Microcomputed tomography (microCT) has been suggested as another standard reference method because of its high resolution and accuracy for both the 2D and three-dimensional (3D) study of bone structure, and because it is faster than histomorphometry.…”