Abstract
Many dental implant materials used clinically have been subject to basic investigation. Recently, bioceramics have become the main materials used in dental implantation.
This study notes that SiC is a non-hydrated material exhibiting superior hardness and lower weight. We have compared SiC with ZrO2 in terms of cytotoxicity. And this is a comparative study with ZrO2 in cytotoxity test and compatibility with soft tissue and bone.
The results were as follows.
1) Amount of dissolved Zr4+and Si4+ ions were below 1.0 ppm.
2) Cytotoxity was the same as that of ZrO2 and glass, examined by the colony formation method, investigation of cell growth and SEM findings of the cell forms on the materials.
3) SiC exhibited the same biocompatibility as ZrO2, as demonstrated by light and electron microscopic examination of subcutaneous implantation in the rats and femurs marrow space implantation in the rabbit.
Results suggest that SiC is not cytotoxic and exhibits biocompatibility equal to that of ZrO2. The author therefore feels able to recommend the clinical use of SiC as soon as possible.
