Attachment of human oral fibroblasts to a granular polymeric implant for hard tissue replacement

Stereo and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine the morphology of cultured human oral fibroblasts attached to a porous, granular polymeric grafting material for hard tissue replacement (HTR Polymer). Fibroblast attachment was rapid, occurring within 10 minutes. Spreading was observed by 30 minutes. Cells attached to the surfaces of the granules by means of numerous cytoplasmic extensions. After incubation of fibroblasts with the granules for 48 hours, dense masses of parallel cells were present on the granule surfaces, with many cells extended to adjacent granules to form intergranular 'bridges'.