Osseointegration
Pronunciation: os-ee-oh-in-teh-GRAY-shun
The direct structural and functional connection between living bone and the surface of a load-bearing endosseous implant, without intervening connective tissue.
Full Definition
Osseointegration, a term coined by Per-Ingvar Brånemark, describes the biological process by which bone cells grow directly onto and bond with a titanium or zirconia implant surface. In dental materials literature, it is critical to distinguish osseointegration from fibro-osseous integration, where a connective tissue layer intervenes. Editors should note that 'osseointegration' is a single unhyphenated word; misspellings such as 'osteointegration' are common errors to correct. The surface characteristics of implant materials — roughness, chemistry, and wettability — are key variables in osseointegration research.
Usage
Usage note: Correct spelling is 'osseointegration', not 'osteointegration'. Never hyphenate. When editing implant-focused manuscripts, verify that authors distinguish between osseointegration and fibro-osseous integration.
In Context
- "Surface micro-roughness of the titanium implant was shown to enhance osseointegration by promoting osteoblast adhesion." — In vivo study
- "The authors incorrectly used 'osteointegration' throughout; this was corrected to 'osseointegration' in accordance with established terminology." — Editorial note