Author/Editor     Cimerman, M; Coer, A; Čeh, M; Kristan, A; Pižem, J; Tonin, M
Title     Microstructural analysis of implant-bone interface of hydroxyapatite-coated and uncoated Schanz screws
Type     članek
Source     J Mater Sci-Mater M
Vol. and No.     Letnik 16
Publication year     2005
Volume     str. 627-34
Language     eng
Abstract     The aim of the study was to compare the pin-bone interface microstructural characteristics of hydroxyapatite-coated (HAC) and stainless steel Schanz screws after 2, 4 and 6 months of implantation in a sheep model. The microstructure and composition of the hydroxyapatite coating were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Twelve coated and 12 uncoated screws were implanted into both femora of three sheep, each sheep receiving eight screws. Specimens of poiished bone with screws were examined with SEM and light microscope for morphometric analyses. The HAC was approx. 40 micro m thick, the grain size ranged from 5 to 40 micro m, with pores less than 20 micro m. The atomic ratio of Ca/P was 1.62. SEM showed that the bone-implant contact was better with HAC than with uncoated implants. The ingrowth of the bone in the HAC was clearly seen. Morphometric analysis showed good bone-implant contact in 65.1 (+-24.6)% in the HAC and 32.0 (+-23.3)% in the uncoated group (p < 0.001). Although the percentage of good contact increased with time for both groups, it was significantly higher for HAC screws. Our investigation demonstrated a time dependent improvement of implant-bone contact of the HAC compared to standard stainless steel implants in the chosen experimental conditions.
Descriptors     BONE SCREWS
STAINLESS STEEL
HYDROXYAPATITES
FEMUR
MATERIALS TESTING
MICROSCOPY, ELECTRON, SCANNING
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL
SHEEP