Tricalcium phosphate ceramic--a resorbable bone implant: review and current status.

Fourteen animal studies involving the implantation of beta-tricalcium phosphate ceramic (TPC) in rats, dogs, and primates have shown the material to be effective in repairing many types of bony defects. Histological examinations confirm that the implant is resorbed and concomitantly replaced by normal bone when firmly fixed to freshly cut and bleeding bone. Tissue compatibility has been shown to be superior to other synthetic materials. TPC has been used in human clinical studies to repair marginal and periapical periodontal defects, as well as apexification and miscellaneous alveolar bony defects. When used to repair marginal periodontal defects, degrees of repair equaled or exceeded those obtained using autogenous bone. Complete bone fill, as evidenced by radiography, was observed in the repair of two-and three-walled periapical defects. TPC afforded a better barrier than calcium hydroxide in the obturation of open apexes and provided equivalent repair. No adverse reactions attributable to TPC have been reported.