Characterization and histological analyses of a coral-collagen composite used for bone-replacement graft material: a report of clinical cases.

Several studies, devoted to the osteogenic potentialities of natural CaCO3 have already been reported. However, it seems questionable if the data obtained from natural calcium carbonates can be extrapolated to a composite biomaterial incorporating coralline material. For these reasons, in the present investigations the structural and crystallographic features of the biomaterial (Biocoral gel) were thoroughly analyzed prior to implantation, with the aid of X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. Then, biopsied samples, taken from Biocoral gel-filled sites, respectively after 7, 8, 9, 12 and 29 mon implantation, were studied with optical and electron microscopy. It could be concluded from the histological analyses of the biopsies, that mineral still remained after long implantation periods. This composite biomaterial may thus be considered for uses in clinical situations where neither incorporation nor dissolution of the implanted biomaterial are essential, i.e. maintenance of edentulous ridge volume. Copyright 1999 Kluwer Academic Publishers