Abstract
Numerous kinds of materials are manufactured as substitute materials for bone defects. Our previous choice for benign bone tumors or tumor-like lesions was only curettage or to fill bone defects with autologous bone or hydroxyapatite as bone substitute materials. Such cases all had fine clinical results. But, recently we have used beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) because it is well absorbed.
Between March 2000 and October 2001 we used beta-TCP on 10 cases as a bone substitute material. The volume of bone defect ranged between 1 ml and 20 ml and the mean follow-up period was approximately 6.7 months. We recognized the absorption of beta-TCP and the formation of new bone had started on radiographs within 1 or 2 months after implantation. Then beta-TCP was gradually absorbed and new bone was formed. Due to the short follow-up period in the current study, beta-TCP was not absorbed completely, but the absorption was expected to continue. Longer follow-up periods are expected to show both complete absorption of beta-TCP, and morphogenesis to newly formed host bone.
Beta-TCP was a useful bone substitute material in this study.
