In Vivo Preliminary Study on Bone Neoformation Behavior of Three Types of Calcium Phosphate Bioceramics

Abstract

Calcium phosphate microporous bioceramics and biphasic compositions of hydroxyapatite and β-calcium phosphate, in the form of microporous granular biomaterials, are research topics and present themselves as potential orthopedic and biomedical applications in rebuilding and repairing maxillofacial bones and tooth structure. This is associated with the characteristics of microstructure, biocompatibility, bioactivity and bone conductivity properties which these materials offer when applied in vivo or in a simulation environment. This study aimed to assess the behavior of bone neoformation of three types of calcium phosphate biomaterials in in vivo tests with sheep within 60 and 90 days, with the help of a scanning electron microscope. The biomaterials used were provided by the Group of Biomaterials at the Santa Catarina State University. The in vivo tests were carried out by generating, on sheep, tibial bone defects, three of which were filled with biomaterial (one different biomaterial for each bone defect generated), whilst the fourth received a bone fragment obtained during the generation of the defect in question, to serve as a control group. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique was used for carrying out the preliminary characterization studies so as to observe new bone formation and osseointegration. The X-ray diffractometry (XRD) served as a support for the characterization of crystalline phases. The results obtained are encouraging and show that the biomaterials presented good performance in the process of bone formation, biomaterial osseointegration by a new tissue and bone mineralization.