Ultrastructural Characteristics of Tissue Response after Implantation of Calcium Phosphate Ceramics in the Mandible of Rabbit

Abstract

This study is undertaken in order to explore interaction between calcium phosphate bioceramics and surrounding tissues in the mandible of rabbit. The tissue response was evaluated 6 months after implantation of ceramics. Three kinds of porous bioceramics were studied: hydroxyapatite (HAp) and HAp mixture with β-tricalcium phosphate (95%HAp/5%β-TCP and 80%HAp/20%β-TCP). X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize porous bioceramic samples. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), light microscopy and SEM examinations were applied for evaluation of interaction between tissues and bioceramics. The open porosity of obtained samples is in range between 50 to 60%. Pores have not specific form and mainly they are interconnected. The histological studies demonstrated appearance of a thick fibrous collagenous capsule formed around the pure HAp and presented by densely packed fibers and flattened fibrocytes, while addition of b-TCP evidenced highly vascularized adipose tissue.