Osseointegration of macroporous calcium phosphate ceramics having a different chemical composition.

Calcium phosphate macroporous ceramics are biocompatible for bone surgery. Their osseointegration is, however, sometimes very poor. To measure the effect of the calcium phosphate content of the ceramic on its osseointegration, macroporous ceramics, differing in their chemical composition, were implanted into sheep femurs. The ceramics were composed of different percentages of hydroxyapatite (HA) and beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP). All other characteristics were the same. Results were assessed histologically with image analysis and showed significant differences in the amount of bone formed at the contact of the different ceramics. Ceramics containing beta-TCP induced better osseointegration than pure HA ceramics.