EFFECT OF TITANIUM IMPLANTS ON PRIMARY MINERALIZATION FOLLOWING 6 AND14 DAYS OF RAT TIBIAL HEALING

The effect of pure commercial titanium implants on the process of prim ary mineralization was studied. This was examined by insertion of tita nium implants into rat tibial bone after ablation. The effects of the titanium were studied through the behaviour of extracellular matrix ve sicles (MV). Methods of morphometric analysis at the TEM level were ap plied. The insertion of titanium implants was followed by an increase in the number of MV as well as vesicular diameter and by a decrease in vesicular distance from the calcified front when compared to normal h ealing. These results suggest that the process of MV maturation around titanium implants was delayed when compared to normal primary bone fo rmation during bone healing. The delay in mineralization was compensat ed by an increase in vesicle production, resulting in an enhancement o f primary mineralization by the titanium.