Fluorescent labeling analysis and electron probe microanalysis for alveolar ridge augmentation using calcium phosphate cement

Our previous histopathological study showed that the augmentation block, prepared from a calcium phosphate cement (CPC) mixed with H2O at powder to liquid ratio of 5 g/mL, placed on the alveolar bone ridge, was gradually replaced by natural bone. In the present study, fluorescent labeling analysis (FLA) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) were performed on the same surgical site of the above histopathological study. Fluorescent labeling agents, that would be incorporated into newly formed mineralized tissues, were injected into dogs intramuscularly twice a week during the 3 week period that ended I week before sacrifice. The specimens obtained from the block were subjected to FLA for assessing the extent of new bone formation and to EPMA for measuring the elemental (Ca, P, Mg) distributions. FLA results showed the presence of newly formed bone at 1 month after surgery. EPMA results showed that the elemental distributions in the augmentation site were similar to those of the residual bone area at 6 months after surgery. FLA and EPMA examinations also indicated that the implants were surrounded and fixed by natural bone chronologically. A CPC augmentation block is clearly useful for alveolar ridge augmentation and osteointegrated implant fixation.