Tissue reactions to implanted vitreous carbon and high purity sintered alumina

Vitreous carbon and high purity sintered alumina implants were inserted into the iliac crests and mandibles of rabbits. The reactions of the tissues were assessed after periods up to 2 years using resin embedded histological sections. Both types of material were well tolerated, although the alumina excited a slightly greater tissue response than did the vitreous carbon. Electron microprobe analysis of the bone around the implants failed to show the movement of known contaminants from the alumina and vitreous carbon into the surrounding tissue. Observations are made on the reactions of the tissues to the implants and the effect of cortical penetration and implant movement.