In vivo study of CORAGRAF: a preliminary results.

The main objective of the study was to determine the biodegradability, resorption and osteoconductivity potency of coral implant. Coral blocks (CORAGRAF) were prepared from sea coral Porites species. The blocks were implanted in the right mandible of rabbit model. Implants were harvested at 2 and 4 weeks intervals and subjected for light and scanning electron microscopy. Dense hydroxyapatite (DHA) was implanted in the left mandible as a control. The results of this study demonstrated that CORAGRAF is a good implant material that can accelerates bone healing and be resorbed in an acceptable time. The mechanisms of the resorption seemed to be the same (crumbling process), a first step where the edge of the coral become powdery then a second step which could be phagocytosis and dissolution in extracellular fluid.