BIOACTIVE GLASS AND CALCIUM-CARBONATE GRANULES AS FILLER MATERIAL AROUND TITANIUM AND BIOACTIVE GLASS IMPLANTS IN THE MEDULLAR SPACE OF THERABBIT TIBIA

The effect of bioactive glass (BG) and calcium carbonate (CC),granules on bone formation around titanium and BG implants projecting into the medullary space of rabbit tibia was studied. The bone marrow tissue w as removed and the medullary space was filled either with BG or CC (Bi ocoral(R)) granules (Phi 630-800 mu m). Conical titanium and BG implan ts were inserted into the holes drilled in compact bone using the pres s fit-technique. Histomorphometry was used to measure the bone-biomate rial area in a 1.0 mm wide zone around the head of the implant and the contact between formed bone and implant. Significantly larger bone-bi omaterial area was obtained around titanium implants using BG than CC, granules while no difference was found in connection of BG implants. B etter bone-implant contact was achieved with BG implants than with tit anium implants regardless of the type of granules used. The results in dicate that BG may prove to be useful as filler and coating material i n connection of implants, projecting into bone cavities.