The Effect of Hydroxyapatite on Bone Ingrowth into Porous-Coated Titanium Implants

Abstract

Two different groups of hydroxyapatite (HA) coated and uncoated porous titanium implants, 250–350 μm and 500–700 μm diameter beads, were press-fit in femoral canine cancellous bone. After 12 weeks, the dogs were euthanized and histomorphometric backscattered electron microscopy studies were carried out. Comparing HA-coated versus uncoated implants in the 250–350 μm bead diameter group 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 μm 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 to improve bone formation and ingrowth in the porous implants.