[Resorbable calcium phosphate ceramics under load (author's transl)]

Cylindrical implants with 45% by volume continuous open tubular pores were prepared from ceramic materials based on tricalcium and tetracalcium phosphate and used to replace 7 mm thick bone segments in the tibiae of dogs. The treated limbs of the experimental animals were fixed for 12 weeks, after which time the dogs were allowed to move freely so that the limbs were physiologically loaded. The histological examination showed that primary bone healing had taken place between the bone and the ceramic material. After 10 months the tricalcium-phosphate-based ceramic material was resorbed and replaced by bone tissue to a large extent. The ceramic material on the bases of tetracalcium phosphate on the other hand, had remained completely unchanged, and its pores were filled with lamellar bone tissue which was in direct contact with the implant without connective tissue. The bond between natural bone and implant was mechanically stable. The ceramic materials investigated were found to be tissue-compatible, and in our opinion they can be substituted for part of the bone transplants used today. Considering its varying strength properties, the tricalcium phosphate ceramic material can be used only in cases where no high stress is expected; the tetracalciumphosphate-based ceramic material, however, has a higher mechanical strength and can therefore be used also for larger permanent implants which have to bear high mechanical stress.