Bone Formation Process of β-TCP Ceramics with Tetracycline Tracing

To study the new bone formation in the bone defect area after implantation, the tetracycline tracing method was used. The results show that new bone formed in 1 month, and the formation rate of new bone was very high (8. 164 μm/day), considerably faster than that of control groups (3.219 μm/day). The new bone grew up quickly and β_TCP particles were surrounded by double fluorescence bands which became more obvious. The new bone formation rate was maximal at 2 months, and then gradually reduced. The rate was steady at 4 months, and then reduced to resembling as the normal physiologic metabolism of bone, which indicated the implanted materials were completely replaced by bone. Calcium phosphate materials had the ability of osteoconduction.