BIC
Also written as: BIC — Bone-to-Implant Contact
Abbreviation for Bone-to-Implant Contact; a histomorphometric measure of the percentage of implant surface in direct contact with mineralised bone.
Full Definition
BIC (Bone-to-Implant Contact) is expressed as a percentage and quantifies the extent of osseointegration by measuring the proportion of the implant surface that is in direct contact with mineralised bone tissue, as assessed on histological sections. It is a gold-standard research metric used in animal studies and retrieved human implant analyses. A higher BIC percentage generally correlates with greater osseointegration and implant stability, although it is not the sole determinant of clinical success. Editors should note that BIC is a histological, not a clinical, measurement; it cannot be determined radiographically or clinically in a living patient.
Usage
Usage note: Always expand on first use in non-specialist publications. Note that 'Bone-to-Implant Contact' is already in the database as a full term; this entry covers the abbreviation specifically.
In Context
- "BIC values at 12 weeks averaged 68.4% in the SLA group compared with 54.2% in the machined surface group." — Animal study results section
- "The author should clarify on first use that BIC refers to Bone-to-Implant Contact, as the abbreviation is not universally familiar to general dental readers." — Peer review comment