Histomorphometry of hydroxyapatite coated and uncoated porous titanium bone implants

Two different groups of hydroxyapatite (HA) coated and uncoated porous titanium implants, 250-350 microns and 500-700 microns diameter beads, were press-fitted into femoral canine cancellous bone. After 12 wks, the dogs were killed and histomorphometric backscattered electron microscopy studies were carried out. Comparing HA coated versus uncoated implants in the 250-350 microns bead diameter group, the percentage of bone (P = 0.01) and bone index (P = 0.01) were higher in the HA coated implants. Comparing HA coated versus uncoated implants in the 500-700 microns bead diameter group, bone ingrowth (P = 0.01) and bone depth penetration (P = 0.008) were higher in HA coated samples. It can be concluded that the HA coating was an effective method for improving bone formation and ingrowth in the porous implants.