AN ASSESSMENT of CARBON and FLUOROCARBON IMPLANTS AS SOFT-TISSUE SPACE FILLERS in RATS

Abstract

The physical properties of carbon and fluorocarbon implants and surrounding tissue were assessed and compared over 1 year in rats. the inflammatory and reparative phases were separated and physical properties were tested both before and after incorporation by surrounding tissue. Although both implant materials demonstrated a marked inflammatory response, less peripheral fibrosis was seen around the carbon implant than the fluorocarbon implant; the carbon implant was also more homogeneously penetrated by host tissues. the physical tests showed fluorocarbon to be a more rigid substance than carbon with carbon more closely resembling the characteristics of rat soft tissue.