Methods: Three crab-eating macaques were employed. The complex materials were implanted into the ES of the upper incisor, and the wound was closed by gingival suture. After the implantation of the materials, all animals were euthanised. Microvascular corrosion cast-bone specimens obtained at 1, 2, 3, 4 or 8 weeks after the implantation were prepared by an injection of acrylic resin from the common carotid artery, and were observed with a scanning microscope.
Results: In the healing process of the non-implanted socket, the bone growth stage was 4-8 weeks. However, in the process where the tooth socket was implanted with the compound materials, the bone growth stage was 2-4 weeks. Thus, the bone growth stage was shortened by 2 weeks by the implantation of the complex materials.
Conclusion: The results in the present study strongly suggested that complex materials could be evaluated as being useful for the induction of bone growth in the ES.