OSSEOINTEGRATION OF MACROPOROUS CALCIUM-PHOSPHATE CERAMICS HAVING A DIFFERENT CHEMICAL-COMPOSITION

Calcium phosphate macroporous ceramics are biocompatible for bone surg ery. Their osseointegration is, however, sometimes very poor. To measu re the effect of the calcium phosphate content of the ceramic on its o sseointegration, macroporous ceramics, differing in their chemical com position, were implanted into sheep femurs. The ceramics were composed of different percentages of hydroxyapatite (HA) and beta-tricalcium p hosphate (beta-TCP). All other characteristics were the same. Results were assessed histologically with image analysis and showed significan t differences in the amount of bone formed at the contact of the diffe rent ceramics. Ceramics containing beta-TCP induced better osseointegr ation than pure HA ceramics.