title: Load-bearing behavior of a simulated craniofacial structure fabricated from a hydroxyapatite cement and bioresorbable fiber-mesh.
abstract: Calcium phosphate cements (CPC) have proven successful in the repair of small, non-stress bearing skeletal defects. These cements do not have sufficient tensile strength or fracture toughness to allow their use in stress-bearing applications. It was hypothesized that a bioresorbable fiber mesh would improve the load-bearing behavior of shell structures fabricated of CPC. This study used a biaxial flexure fixture to compare the work-to-fracture values of discs made of: (1) CPC; (2) CPC reinforced with a bioresorbable two-dimensionally oriented poly(glactin) fiber-mesh; and (3) poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) that were immersed in a serum-like solution for 0-28 days. CPC-mesh and PMMA discs were indistinguishable at 0, 1 and 7 days, based on work-to-fracture data. CPC and CPC-mesh discs were indistinguishable at day 28, because of fiber hydrolysis. The knitted fiber-mesh was effective in improving load-bearing behavior of a calcium phosphate cement for potential structural repair of bone defects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Naval Dental School, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Von Gonten
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Antonucci