Pilot study of a calcium phosphate cement based composite as implant coating and socket grafting material

Abstract Materials that can be used in load-bearing implants are desirable. They have to display a wide range of properties in order to work well in the human body. Calcium phosphate cement (CPC) is a promising candidate for this role because of their ability to directly bond to bone, serving as a template for newly forming bone and meanwhile a load-bearing support for implant. In this study, a commercialized CPC product were blended with hemostatic gelatin sponges and minocycline, then smashed to form a self-setting composite material with porous structures. Firstly, the CPC composite was tested as a coating material for titanium implant in experimental rabbit models. The results showed the coating materials could guide bone-to-implant contact in 12 weeks, displaying a good osteoconductive ability. Then a clinical trial was carried out to evaluate the CPC composite’s performance as bone substitute in 8 patients, who experienced tooth extractions and accepted the composite material grafting for ridge preservation. After 3-6 months’ healing, the majority of the CPC composite was replaced by new alveolar bone, allowing successful placement of dental implant and denture restoration. This pilot study indicated that porous CPC composite could be used in implant dentistry as biomedical material for implant coating or alveolar ridge preservation.