Hydroxyapatite (HA) is well known as a biocompatible and bioactive material. HA has been practically applied as bone graft materials in a range of medical and dental fields. In this study, two types of dense hydroxyapatite ceramics were prepared from natural bones and synthetic materials. The biocompatibility of HA ceramics for supporting osteoblast cell growth and cytotoxicity using an in vitro MG-63 cell line model were respectively evaluated. Artificial hydroxyapatite shows relative density of 93% with 1-2 μm after sintering, but a hydroxyapatite compact derived from bovine bone has low sintered density of 85% with a small content of MgO. Irrespective of the starting raw materials, both types of sintered hydroxyapatite displayed similar biocompatibility in the tests. FE-SEM observations showed that most MG-63 cells had a stellar shape and formed an intercellular matrix containing fibers on sintered HA. The cells were well attached and grown over the HA surface, indicating that there was no toxicity.

It is necessary to improve the esthetic and function in the patient with oral and maxillofacial bone defects. Synthetic bone substitute materials and anorganic bovine bone mineral(ABBM) have been used for clinical restoration. The purpose of this study was to observe the biocompatibility and bone formation of synthetic hydroxyapatite(SHA) and ABBM in hole of rabbit's tibia. After specimens with SHA and ABBM at 8 weeks were fixed in 10% neutral formalin solution, dehydrated, and embedded with spurr low viscosity, they were cut by 500um with slow diamond wheel saw and grinded up to 200um in thickness. These specimens were coated with carbon and examined with r efraction microscope for bone density. Refraction microscopic features of 8 weeks in synthetic HA showed network-like new bone forming trabecular pattern attached to resorbed HA. Less well calcified trabecular bone surrounding conglomerated HAs showed irregular arrangement of numerous osteocytes. There was not completely filled in defected area by new bone trabecular. New trabecular bone formation by ABBM was more prominent and completely compacted in defect hole at 8 weeks. It suggested that although bone formation activity of AMMB might be superior to that on synthetic HA, both group would be the good biocompatibility in this experiment.