Effects of compression during formation on the microstructure of composite hydroxylapatite/plaster implants for bone reconstruction

Abstract

Composites of plaster of Paris (PP) and hydroxylapatite (HA) particles are being applied for the surgical reconstruction of craniofacial bone defects and for cosmetic surgery. Two types of HA particles are being employed, the dense sintered ceramic (DHA) and the porous, coralline hydroxylapatite (PHA) particles. Excess water is expressed out of the moistened HA/PP mixture prior to implantation and setting by pressing it in a non-tapered syringe against a glass plate. This results in implants with faster setting times and greater mechanical strengths. It was therefore of interest to compare samples of the compressed versus noncompressed mixtures to see whether or not any changes in their microstructure after setting could be related to these different properties.USG Medical Grade Calcium Sulfate Hemihydrate (which has the lowest mortar consistency of any known plaster) was mixed with an equal weight of Interpore 200 particles (a commercial form of PHA). After moistening with a minimum amount of water, disc-shaped noncompressed samples were made by filling small holes (0.339 in. diameter x 0.053 in. deep) in polypropylene molds with a microspatula.