Glassy carbon: A potential dental implant material

Abstract

The carbonization of certain polymers under carefully controlled conditions yields glassy carbon bodies which may have potential application in the dental profession. Considerable evidence is now available for the good compatibility of a variety of carbonaceous materials with tissue and bone. Many carbons remain relatively inert in the human environment compared to metals and polymers. Disordered carbons with strengths exceeding that of graphite are commercially available with elastic modulus in the same range as that reported for bone(∼3 × 10 6 psi). The object of this study was to determine mechanical properties and characterize the structure of a new porous glassy carbon material. Compressive and tensile strength data were obtained for carbon samples with a wide range of pore structures. A scanning electron microscope and a mercury porosimeter were used to observe variations in pore structures. The porous materials tested exhibited compressive strength values up to 48,000 psi and ultimate tensile strength values up to 7,500 psi. Sonic modulus values from 1 to 4.6 × 10 6 psi have been measured. Some carbon samples had interconnected porosity exceeding 50% and median pore diameters greater than 50 Μ. Material with an interconnected mean pore size as small as 46 Å has also been produced. Preliminary animal implant studies are in progress.