Journal of Dental Research, Vol 55, 111-114, Copyright © 1976 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Quantitative stereological investigations of porous alumina implant biomaterials
J. E. Lemons and W. C. Richardson
We made several conclusions from this study on a candidate porous alumina
bioceramic. First, the volume fraction of porosity varied from 64 to 79%,
whereas Archimedes density shows 62% porosity. Second, the mean lineal
intercept and tangent diameter varied from 0.048 to 0.058 cm and 0.034 to
0.040 cm, respectively, and did not provide a good concept of the minimum
pore size neck dimensions for the specimen. Third, the pore-size dimension
varied from 0.0185 to 0.1157 cm which indicated a minimum pore neck size
large enough for tissue ingrowth and ossification if located in bone.
Fourth, the pore structure was totally interconnected with considerable
side branching and multi-interconnections. Fifth, the serial sectioning of
the porous alumina ceramic biomaterial provides considerable insight into
the critical features of the material as a candidate for a surgical implant
material and a better understanding of the relationships between
two-dimensional and three-dimensional structural components.
