Abstract
The aim of this work was to study the structural characteristics of commercially available bone graft substitute (BGS) ceramic cements. In particular, the microstructure of two calcium sulfate cements was investigated. For this purpose, nitrogen and mercury porosimetry, x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements have been carried out. Mercury intrusion porosimetry results revealed that the structural characteristics of the two samples varied significantly. These structural differences can be justified when compared with their compression and bending strength properties. As a result, a proper understanding of microstructure of BGS materials is crucial in the search of what is optimal for bone regeneration.
Highlights
Bone graft substitute (BGS) cements have been widely used in fracture treatment in various fixation augmentation techniques aiming at increasing implant stability in the mechanically weak bone
According to IUPAC12, both isotherms are close to type III corresponding to non-porous or macroporous solids. They exhibit H3 hysteresis loop along the mesoporous region which is caused by the existence of non-rigid aggregates of plate-like particles or assemblages of slit-shaped pores[16]
The obtained nitrogen adsorption (77 K) isotherms are typical of samples with slit-shaped mesopores that extended into the macropore region, caused by the spaces between the plates of material[17]
Summary
Bone graft substitute (BGS) cements have been widely used in fracture treatment in various fixation augmentation techniques aiming at increasing implant stability in the mechanically weak bone. Calcium phosphate cements have found many clinical applications for repair of bone defects and bone augmentation because of their biocompatible and biodegradable characteristics[2]. Calcium sulfate cements have been investigated as alternative candidates to autograft in the restoration of bone defect[3]. Among calcium sulfate-based bioceramics the a-Calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CSH) powder (CaSO4 1⁄2 H2O) is very popular as bone substitute in clinical fields[6]. Calcium sulfate substitutes occupy a unique position in the group of regenerative materials and are recognized as safe and bioactive implant materials. They have been successfully used in bone substitution they have been criticized for their rapid resorption.
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