SEM images for experimental and control implants.

<p>(A) CTR, (B) T1, (C) T2, (D) BAG, (E) TiO₂ and (F) AMS. Images (G) and (H) represent the cross-sectional views of the thick porous Ti coatings T1 and T2 (as shown by figure (B) and (C)) respectively.</p

Bone-to-implant contact comparison in the bone adaptation area (BIC-BAA).

<p>The results are the mean values (bars) with standard errors of the mean. The horizontal lines indicate statistically significant difference. (P<0.05).</p

SEM images for BAG coatings in cross-sectional view.

<p>(A) before implantation, (B) after 2 weeks and (C) after 4 weeks of implantation. Images (D), (E) and (F) indicate the corresponding single point EDS analysis.</p

Bone growth into the pores of T2 coating after 4 weeks of healing.

<p>A similar phenomenon was observed for T1 surfaces after both the healing periods. The cells and the mineralized bone can be seen deep into the coating (up to the Ti substrate).</p

Representative histological section, retrieved after 4 weeks of healing.

<p>(A) Scanned image of the histological section. (B) The same image after being digitally processed for histomorphometrical analyses. Four well-defined areas of interest are delimitated: The bone regeneration area (BRA) divided into 100 and 400 µm zones for the measurement of bone area fraction parameters (BAF-100 and BAF-400 respectively) and two reference areas (RA's) positioned in non-affected cortical bone, at each side of the double-stepped cavity. Additionally, two bone adaptation areas (BAA's), on each side of the BRA were used to measure bone-to-implant contact (BIC-BAA).</p

Bone area fraction (BAF) comparison for the whole cavity.

<p>The results are the mean values (bars) with standard errors of the mean after 2 and 4 weeks of healing. BAF was measured for the whole cavity (BAF-500). The horizontal line indicates a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Significant differences for all groups are not shown for the comparison between 2 and 4 weeks.</p

Bone area fraction (BAF) comparison for the 100- and 400-µm zones.

<p>The results are the mean values (bars) with standard errors of the mean. The horizontal lines indicate statistically significant difference. (P<0.05) The * and † indicate differences between the two parameters BAF-100 and BAF-400 (P<0.05) for the same implant and healing period. Significant differences for the comparison of 2- and 4-week results are not indicated.</p