EFFECT OF CALCIUM-PHOSPHATE (CA-P) COATINGS ON TRABECULAR BONE RESPONSE - A HISTOLOGICAL STUDY

The trabecular bone response to noncoated and fluorapatite (FA), hydro xyapatite (HA), and hydroxyapatite heat-treated (HAHT) plasma-sprayed coated implants was investigated in a goat animal model. Forty-eight c ylindrical implants were inserted into the trabecular bone of the late ral and medial femoral condyles of twelve goats according to a split p lot design. After an implantation period of twelve weeks, the bone-imp lant interface was evaluated histologically. Quantitative histomorphom etrical measurements demonstrated a significant difference in bone con tact between implants inserted in the lateral and medial condyles. In addition, a significant difference in bone apposition was observed bet ween the coated and the uncoated implants. Finally, all Ca-P coatings showed reduction in coating thickness. Measurements revealed that FA a nd HAHT showed less reduction in coating thickness than HA coating. De spite the coating reduction, the bone remained in close contact with t he implant surface. (C) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.