Fig. 5.

Osteocytes at the implant surface: The osteocyte connection to the implant surface. a Histological image of osteocytes close to the implant surface, the cell nuclei stained in blue. b BSE-SEM image of an osteocyte close to the implant surface. c Osteocyte close to the implant surface shown after resin cast etching where the canaliculi can be observed reaching the implant surface (Osteocyte and canaliculi highlighted in red). d Canaliculi making intimate contact with the implant surface, a top view showing the network of canaliculi. e FIB section during TEM sample preparation made across the osteocyte in b. A canaliculi is seen running in the 8 o’clock direction. f STEM image of the thin sample, the canaliculi was removed during the thinning process. g Closer view of the bone between the osteocyte lacuna and the implant surface showing a uniform directionality, indicating that the former osteoblast, now osteocyte produced the bone in a contact osteogenesis fashion. Collagen banding is observed perpendicular to the implant surface as well as the lacuna indicating collagen parallel to the surface, the morphology further indicate a mature bone with fibril bundles of 1–2 µm in diameter. h STEM image of canaliculi directly interfacing the implant surface. i Corresponding electron tomography volume rendering of h (Courtesy of Assistant Professor Kathryn Grandfield). Images reprinted and modified with permission from the American Chemical Society and Public Library of Science [27, 33]