Abstract
Granulated artificial bone implant materials such as hydroxyapatite (HAP) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) have been frequently used in attempts to restore periodontal tissue lost as a result periodontitis. However, these materials are considered insufficient for the maintenance and stability of granules at sites losing bone, for active bone formation, or for periodontal ligament regeneration. We have now developed a complex consisting of HAP or TCP coated with atelocollagen (which has recently received attention as a biomaterial) and have conducted experiments to determine the effects of this material on the reconstruction of periodontal tissue. Implantations were performed using a HAP-atelocollagen complex, TCP-atelocollagen complex, HAP and TCP at three-wall bone defect sites in experimentally-induced periodontitis in dogs. A control group without the implants was included in the study. Histopathological observations were conducted 2, 4 and 12 weeks after surgery. Compared with the control group, the groups implanted with the complex displayed enhanced maintenance and stability of granules, suppression of epithelial downgrowth, and acceleration of new bone and cementum formation. These results indicate that the implant method using an atelocollagen-coated artificial bone implant material would be useful for periodontal surgical treatment, eliminating some of the disadvantages of conventional implant methods.
