Diopside ceramic pellets with a nominal composition of 55.5 wt % SiO(2)-25.9 wt % CaO-18.0 wt % MgO were soaked in human parotid saliva (HPS) over different time intervals, to investigate the behavior of the material in a natural medium of high protein content. The results showed the formation of a hydroxyapatite (HA)-like layer on the surface of the ceramic, and suggested that the mechanism of HA-like layer formation in saliva was similar to that showed in vitro test by other silica-based materials. The HA-like layer formed at the interface was found to be compact, continuous, and composed of many small crystallites with ultrastructure similar to that of natural cortical bone and dentine. The study concluded that the high pH conditions (9.8) existing right at the ceramic/human parotid saliva interface promoted HA-like phase precipitation. At this stage of the study, it is possible to suggest that the diopside ceramic could be of interest in specific periodontal applications for bone restorative purposes. Morphology, structure, and composition of the interfacial reaction product were examined by Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy techniques (SEM and TEM), combined with Energy Dispersive X-say Spectroscopy (EDS). Changes in ionic concentrations were measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES), while the pH right at the interface of diopside/PHS were determined with an Ion Sensitive Field Effect Transistor (ISFET-Meter) instruments.
(c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.