Control Implants (No Ligature Involved)

Control samples are shown in Figure 5. The control samples demonstrated both periosteal and endosteal new bone formation. The old cortical bone surfaces, observed in regions close to the implant, were undergoing remodeling with bone forming and bone resorption areas present. Most control sections demonstrated that the implant interface regions consisted of new formed bone with various amounts of bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and active bone forming regions (bone tissue covered by osteoid with osteoblasts visible) close to the implant. In some sections, multinucleated giant cells (MNGCs) of various sizes could be observed in close vicinity to metal oxide debris and particles (most likely detached from the bulk implant being anodized).

**Figure 5.** (**a**) A typical example of a control sample (no ligature involved) with darker stained periosteal and endosteal new bone formation. (**b**) This figure illustrates seemingly an ongoing bone remodeling region with clear demarcation between old bone (lighter stained) and younger bone (larger osteocytes and a bit darker stained bone tissue). Possibly some macrophages can be observed in the region closer to the implant.
