Investigation of the in vitro bioactivity of poly methyl methacrylate bone cement loaded with hydrated and anhydrous white Portland cement powder

Purpose

In order to combine the advantages of bioactivity and low cost of Portland cement (PC) together with the fast setting and early high strength properties of Poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA); this study was directed to prepare and investigate the in vitro bioactivity of PMMA/PC composites for use as a bone cement.

Materials and methods

Two PC concentrations (20 and 40 wt %) were used for the preparation of bone cement composites. Hydrated (PCH) and anhydrous (PCP) Portland cement powders were used as fillers to be added to commercially available PMMA bone cement. pH changes and ion release of PCP and PCH powder with time was recorded. The apatite forming ability of the prepared composite cement discs after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) were evaluated using environmental scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDAX).

Results

PCH powder revealed higher mean pH values compared to PCP powder. EDAX analysis revealed the precipitations of apatite on the tested specimens’ surfaces. The Ca/P molar ratio of precipitations was higher for PCP loaded samples.

Conclusions

Hydrated and anhydrous Portland cement powder could be used for poly methyl methacrylate bioactivation.