[Scanning electron microscopy study of cell growth on mechanically produced biovitroceramic and carbon glass in vitro and in vivo].

New machinable glass ceramics were tested for the application in middle ear surgery in vitro and in vivo. This ceramic consists of a glass phase and a glimmer phase. Fibroblasts and epitheloid cells seated on the test material attach to it, spread and form a confluent monolayer. From our findings on the behaviour of cell populations in vitro we can conclude that the implanted material is biocompatible. After implantation into the middle ear of rabbits, irritation-free settling was verified by the existence of a thin epithelium layer and a direct connection between bone and implant. Glass carbon did not yield equally satisfactory results.