A COMPARATIVE HISTOLOGICAL STUDY OF NONPOROUS AND MICRO-POROUS (ALGAE-DERIVED) HYDROXYLAPATITE CERAMICS

Two different types of hydroxylapatite ceramics were examined histolog ically to assess their effects on the healing of standardized bone def ects drilled in the mandibular bone of beagles. After 40 days both mat erials were totally enclosed by newly-formed bone, but only the defect s filled with micro-porous hydroxylapatite were found to show bone inc orporation which is a good indicator of implant stability. These resul ts suggest that the physio-chemical similarities between the micro-por ous hydroxylapatite and native bone may promote effective bone incorpo ration which can increase the stability of implants.