Nn. Bouabboud et al., EVALUATION OF THE OSTEOGENIC POTENTIAL OF BIOMATERIALS IMPLANTED IN THE PALATAL CONNECTIVE-TISSUE OF MINIATURE PIGS USING UNDECALCIFIED SECTIONS, Biomaterials, 15(3), 1994, pp. 201-207
Calcium phosphate or calcium carbonate biomaterials are widely used as
bone substitutes in periodontal surgery. This study evaluates the ost
eogenic potential of five different alloplastic biomaterials implanted
in the connective tissue of the palatal papilla in miniature pigs. A
porous hydroxyapatite (PHA), a dense hydroxyapatite (DHA), a semi-poro
us hydroxyapatite (SPHA), a tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and a calcium c
arbonate natural coral (NC) were implanted in a tunnel in the palatal
papillae of seven miniature pigs. Undecalcified sections were examined
histologically at 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12 and 24 wk intervals. Resorbable m
aterials (TCP and NC) were totally resorbed by 24 wk. DHA, PHA and HA
showed very limited resorption, although there were multinucleated gia
nt cells in contact with PHA and SPHA. There was no histologically det
ectable bone formation in contact with or near any of the biomaterials
tested. However, several particles of NC, and sometimes of PHA, were
surrounded by a dense, mineralized matrix. It is concluded that none o
f these biomaterials, in their presently available forms, has any bone
inducing capacity.