A method for preparing and staining histological sections containing titanium implants for light microscopy

An improved method for preparing and staining ground tissue-implant sections for light microscopy is presented. Undecalcified tissue blocks with titanium implants were dehydrated in an ascending series of ethanol and stained in toto with basic fuchsin. Specimens were infiltrated and embedded in methyl methacrylate and sections were prepared using a cutting-grinding-system. The polished surface was counterstained with light green or anilin blue. Light polymerizing resin was used as slide mounting medium and for mounting the coverglass. The sections obtained were 10-15 microns thick with tissue architecture which clearly differentiated structures at the tissue-implant interface. The method was very useful for computer assisted morphometric analysis.