Polymer implant materials with improved X-ray opacity and biocompatibility.
Poly(methyl methacrylate) samples containing 28 wt% inorganic fillers such as zirconium oxide, barium sulphate, zinc oxide, magnesium oxide and tricalcium phosphate were prepared and studied for their suitability as implant materials by physical property tests, X-ray opacity measurement, cell culture, and animal implantations. Addition of inorganic fillers to poly(methyl methacrylate) increased the compressive strength but decreased the transverse strength. Zirconium oxide was found to be most suitable as an X-ray opaque filler, and tricalcium phosphate showed superior biocompatibility when added to poly(methyl methacrylate) in cell culture experiments. The zirconium oxide and tricalcium phosphate composites evoked no greater unfavourable tissue reaction in rats than pure poly(methyl methacrylate). From the physical and biological standpoints zirconium oxide is the radiopaque filler of choice to be incorporated in poly(methyl methacrylate) implant material and addition of tricalcium phosphate could improve it's biocompatibility.
D000818:Animals; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D008277:Magnesium Oxide; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011859:Radiography; D051381:Rats; D015034:Zinc Oxide; D015040:Zirconium
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; C485828:alpha-tricalcium phosphate; C485830:tetracalcium phosphate; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D008277:Magnesium Oxide; C485838:calcium phosphate, monobasic, anhydrous; C020243:calcium phosphate; D015040:Zirconium; C485829:calcium phosphate, dibasic, anhydrous; C028541:zirconium oxide; D015034:Zinc Oxide