Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to investigate both the clinical and associated histologic responses of periodontal tissue to Hydroxyapatite ceramic (H. A. C.) which were implanted into artificially created 3-walls periodontal defects in monkeys.
8 weeks after implantation of three sizes (more than 600μ, 100 to 400μ, 10μ) of H. A. C. particles, monkeys were killed, for histological evaluation.
The results are as follows:
1. Clinical response: At eight weeks postoperatively, gingival inflammation could not be observed both in control (without H. A. C.) and experimental sites. Standardized radiograph showed no evidence of exfoliation of H. A. C.
2. Histologic response: The junctional epithelium had not migrated apically. At eight weeks postoperatively, almost all H. A. C. particles could be observed in the connective tissue over the defect.
Osteogenesis was present around the particles adjacent to the bottom of defect, but some particles were encapsulated by fibrous connective tissue.
From these results, H. A. C. seemed to have excellent tissue biocompatibility, and it could be used as a bone substitute. But further investigation is needed for use in the treatment of human periodontal defects.
