Histopathological Analysis of Bone Tissue Reaction on Implanted Biomaterials

In implantology, several techniques such as light and polarizing microscopy and histomorphometry are available for evaluation of the bone reactions. Descriptive histology and histomorphometry are the two main types of histological methods. At the microscopic level, bone consists of two forms: woven (an immature disorganized form of bone) and lamellar. During replacement of biomaterial, the remodeling of woven bone is first. Lamellar bone actively replaces woven bone over time and is found in a several structural and functional units with greater organization. Bone remodeling is characterized by the spatial and temporal coupling of bone formation by osteoblasts and bone resorption by osteoclasts. Histomorphometry can be very valuable in measuring the changes in the tissues that surround an implant. The parameters used in the evaluation procedure must be as simple as possible. However, analysis requires considerable expertise and remains time-consuming, despite the reduction in variables. To overcome the limitations presented by the 2D histological section reconstruction from serial sections is an option.