Morphological and chemical evaluation of bone with apatite-coated Al 2O3 implants as scaffolds for bone repair

Abstract

The clinical challenge in the reconstruction of bone defects has stimulated several studies in search of alternatives to repair these defects. The ceramics are considered as synthetic scaffolds and are used in dentistry and orthopedics. This study aimed to evaluate by micro energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (μ-EDXRF) and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), the influence of uncoated and apatite-coated Al2O3 implants on bone regeneration. Twelve samples of Al2O3 implants were prepared and half of this samples (n = 6) were apatite-coated by the modified biomimetic method and then the ceramic material were implanted in the tibia of rabbits. Three experimental groups were tested: Group C - control, surgery procedure without ceramic implant, Group Ce - uncoated Al2O3 implants (n = 6) and Group CeHA - apatite-coated Al2O3 implants (n = 6). The deposition of bone tissue was determined by measuring the weight content of Ca and P through surface mapping of bone-implant interface by μ-EDXRF and through point analysis by EDS. It was observed after thirty days of treatment a greater deposition of Ca and P in the group treated with CeHA (p <0.001) compared to group C. The results suggest that ceramic coated with hydroxyapatite (CeHA) can be an auxiliary to bone deposition in tibia defect model in rabbits.