[The interface between hydroxyapatite ceramic and newly formed bone in scanning electron microscopy].

Bone samples, which have been embedded in methylmethacrylate in an undecalcified state can be evaluated by a scanning electron microscopy after removal of the methylmethacrylate. Hydroxy apatite (HA) has been implanted in 6 mm bore holes of the rabbits' femoral condyle. The animals were sacrificed after 2, 4, 6, 8 weeks and 8 months. The interface between HA and the newly built bone was observed. A direct contact has been found regularly through high magnification (up to 16,000 times). The three dimensional embedding of the implanted HA-particles into the newly built bone can be shown. Collagen filaments are spreading out from bone to HA-particles. We think that there is not only a mechanical but also a chemical connection between both.