**3. Results**

#### *3.1. General Aspects*

No complications were observed or related by patients in the post-operative period. No mobility or lost implants were observed. A sample was lost during cutting and preparation for BS-SEM analysis. Consequently, 15 samples were studied.

#### *3.2. Histomorphology Findings*

The histology of the tissue found around the MTIs (BAFOs) obtained by BS-SEM is summarized in Tables 1 and 2 and Figures 3 and 4. In general, in the space between the MTI surface and trephine, we observed tissue with the characteristics of cortical bone close to the cervical area (near to the implant abutment, Figure 3(1,3). More trabecular bone was observed in the deep area (Figure 3(2,4)). A total of 306 BAFOs were observed, of which 243 BAFOs with calcified tissue were studied. The BAFOs without calcified tissue (63 BAFOs) were observed mainly in relation to the middle implant portion. The samples showed a predominance of trabecular bone. However, the highest BIC percentage considering all samples was associated with cortical bone. Table 1 shows the quantitative observations made in the samples considering the parameters of bone tissue characteristics, bone fill percentages, and BIC. Lamellar bone was the tissue most frequently observed, followed by woven bone. Regions with chondroid tissue were significantly less frequent (Table 2, Figure 4). Even when significant differences were observed in the amount of

calcified tissue and vascular spaces between the samples, no significant differences were observed in the quantitative analysis considering lamellar, woven, and chondroid tissue (Figure 4). Consequently, the qualitative analysis revealed that the newly formed tissue in the BAFO had a regular cell distribution and characteristics of advanced maturation. In this region, several vascular spaces were observed with surrounding lamellar bone formation. In general, bone exhibited a tendency toward the mature osseous tissue. Besides, no remains of metal or particle corrosion detachment were observed by BS-SEM in the interface BIC or BAFO. Remodeled activity was observed, presumably depending on the forces applied to the implant.

**Table 1.** Summary of quantitative analysis of bone tissue observed in the BAFOs (Total samples = 15). For BAFO, %Bf, and %BIC definitions see the methodology segment. SD = standard deviation.


**Table 2.** Summary of quantitative analysis of samples considering bone tissue types. BAFOs with calcified tissues were considered (N = 243). SD = standard deviation.


**Figure 3.** BS-SEM osseointegration between grade V titanium mini-transitional implants (MTI) and the bone surface. The BS-SEM image shows close contact between the implant surface and bone. Furthermore, bone tissue with an advanced degree of maturation and mainly lamellar and fibroreticular tissue organization is observed overall. The subfigures **1**–**4** show details of the BAFOs in the central image. MTI = mini transitional implant, Facility ®; Tr = trephine; bt = bone tissue; ms = medullar space; vs = vascular space.

**Figure 4.** Distribution of calcified tissue considering each sample. MIT = mini transitional implant; SA and SB = Segment A and Segment B of sample (see Figure 1). The number of BAFOs analyzed is described below each set of bars belonging to a sample. No significant differences were observed in the distribution of the types of bone tissue. \* Significant differences were observed in the distribution of vascular spaces and general calcified tissue between the samples.
