Abstract
The purpose of this study was to develop a new biodegradable bone substitute materials consisting of synthesized nano-size hydroxyapatite (nano-HAp) and Type I biodegradable honeycomb collagen sponge (HCS) composites. Bone defects in rabbit mandibles were prepared by a drill, and the composites were implanted into the bone defects. The HCS only and the HCS/calcined hydroxyapatite (HAp) composite were used as comparative materials. The bone tissues reaction at the early stage within 3 weeks after implantaion was investigated histologically. Amounts of new bone formation were determined by NIH-image analysis software using the histological sections. The amounts of the new bone formation were largest in the nano HAp/HCS compared to the comparative materials. Within 2 weeks after implantation, the nano-HAp/HCS composite was more rapidly exchanged by new bone than the comparative materials.
From these results it was considered that the nano-HAp/HCS composites can be used as an effective biodegradable bone substitutive material.