Cell Proliferation of Human Fibroblasts on Alumina and Hydroxyapatite-Based Ceramics with Different Surface Treatments

Biocompatibility is an important characteristic of dental implant material, and in vitro tests are required to elucidate the interaction between these materials and human tissues. Cell proliferation assays were done with fibroblasts plated on the surface of alumina and hydroxyapatite sintered samples, each with a different surface treatment (sintered, rectified, or polished). After 1, 2, and three days, the samples were prepared for scanning electron microscopy observations. The data were compared by analysis of variance followed by Tukey's test. It was concluded that neither the hydroxyapatite or alumina substrate is cytotoxic, and hydroxyapatite is more biocompatible than alumina.