Endosteal

Endosteal is an anatomical term meaning inside the bone. It is used to describe structures or processes related to the inner surfaces of bones, especially the endosteum, a thin, vascular membrane that lines the medullary cavities and internal trabeculae. The endosteum contains osteogenic cells and houses osteoblasts and osteoclasts, contributing to bone growth, remodeling, and repair. It plays a role in calcium homeostasis and provides a conduit for blood vessels and nutrients to the inner bone. The endosteal surface borders the medullary cavity and the inner sides of compact bone; it is contrasted with the periosteum, which covers the outer bone surface.

In dentistry, endosteal implants are a common form of dental implant placed within the jawbone. They are typically screw-shaped or cylindrical fixtures surgically embedded into the alveolar bone to serve as artificial tooth roots, providing support for prosthetic teeth. Materials most often used are titanium or zirconia, chosen for biocompatibility and osseointegration, the direct bonding of living bone to the implant surface. The treatment sequence usually includes assessment, surgical placement, a healing period for osseointegration, and restoration with crowns or prostheses. Endosteal implants are distinct from subperiosteal implants, which rest on top of the jawbone beneath the gum, and from transosseous implants.

See also endosteum.