In vitro experiments show that pseudowollastonite (alpha-CaSiO3) is a highl
y bioactive material that forms a hydroxyapatite surface layer on exposure
to simulated body fluid and also to human parotid saliva. This finding is v
ery significant, as it indicates that the pseudowollastonite can be physica
lly and chemically integrated into the structure of living bone tissue, and
therefore could be suitable for repair or replacement of living bone.
The physical and chemical nature of the remodelled interface between the ps
eudowollastonite implants and the surrounding bone has been studied after i
n vivo implantation of 20 pseudowollastonite cylinders into rat tibias. The
interfaces formed after 3, 6, 8 and 12 weeks of implantation were examined
histologically using an optical microscope and also by analytical scanning
electron microscopy.
SEM and X-ray elemental analysis showed that the new bone was growing in di
rect contact with the implants. Other examinations found that the bone was
fully mineralized. The ionic exchange taking place at the implant interface
with the body fluids was essential in the process of the implant integrati
on through a dissolution-precipitation-transformation mechanism. The study
found the interface biologically and chemically active over the 12-week imp
lantation period. The rate of new bone formation decreased after the first
3 weeks and reached constant value over the following 9 weeks. The osteobla
stic cells migrated towards the interface and colonized the surface at the
contact areas with the cortical regions and also bone marrow.