Initial evaluation of a ceramic form as a reconstructive material for bone defects.

Abstract

Alumina form and a porous apatite, apaceram, were implanted in rat tibiae bone defects for up to 12 weeks and the tissue response was studied histologically as an initial evaluation of whether or not this ceramic form had potential as a reconstructive material for bone defects. We observed no bone formation inside the pores of porous apatite, even after 12 weeks, if the pores were deeper than 1.0 mm from the surface. In contrast, we observed bone tissue deep inside the alumina form as early as 2 weeks after implantation. However, the bone that formed around the alumina form did not directly contact with the frame of the alumina form, even though bone directly contacted with porous apatite. We concluded, therefore, that the ceramic form has potential value as a reconstructive material for bone defects. This potential value would be further increased if the ceramic form could be prepared with calcium phosphate-related materials.