Implant bone interface investigated with a non-invasive method: optical coherence tomography

Abstract

Bone implants insertion implies the necessity of a important primary stability. The quality of the implant insertion could be investigated by implant bone interface analysis. In this study, we demonstrate that en-face optical coherence tomography can be used to evaluate these interfaces. We have collected both C-scan OCT images (en-face) as well as B-scan OCT images (cross section). 3D analysis was possible by acquiring 30-100 C-scans which were used post-acquisition to explore the volume of the tissue around the interface. Four implants were inserted into a human mandible and their interfaces imaged. The images show gaps of different sizes and shapes between the implant and the bone at different depths.