Tricalcium phosphate endosseous implants in dentistry: ultrastructural findings

beta-Tricalcium phosphate magnesium substituted (beta-TCMP), consisting of one part small unsintered and one part large sintered granules was placed in upper and lower jaw surgical cavities of monkeys. At light and transmission electron microscope the biopsies taken at 2, 4, 8 and 24 weeks showed that both sintered and unsintered granules were well tolerated by the host tissue and result biodegradable over time. beta-TCMP may stimulate the direction of bone growth enhancing osteoblasts activity and new bone deposition in direct contact and in the micropores of the biomaterial. beta-TCMP containing Mg ions reabsorbs slowly when in sintered granules form and rapidly as unsintered granules. When it is placed in bone cavities, if bone reabsorption is biologically necessary, the biomaterial can be reabsorbed with bone, while if osteogenesis is required beta-TCMP provides a more durable matrix to support new bone growth.