Bone Induction of a Biodegradable Magnesium Alloy

AZ31B magnesium alloy samples with two dimensions (stabilization splint and dictyo-plate) were implanted on the submaxilla surface of the New-Zealand rabbits, with comparison of Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy as a control. Two kinds of bone coloboma were made on the submaxilla surface in order to model the different areas of bone defect. It was found from the experiments, after 3 and 6 months, that newly formed bone around the AZ31B magnesium alloy stabilization splint was much more than the control group. After 6 months, both newly formed bone and osteolysis were found on the surface of the dictyo-plate implants. It can be concluded that magnesium alloy implantation is beneficial to the new bone formation, but overdose of magnesium ions from biodegradation can also lead to the increase of osteoclast activity.