Comparison of Particulate, Block and Putty Forms of ß-tricalcium Phosphate-Based Synthetic Bone Grafts on Rat Calvarium Model.

Purpose: Bone augmentation is a necessity for atrophied alveolar ridge prior to dental implant placement. Various bone graft types and forms with different characteristics are available in the market for alveolar augmentation. Beta tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) is a synthetic biomaterial known as the oldest type of calcium phosphate. Studies comparing particulate, block or putty grafts are very limited. The aim of this study was to compare the particulate, block and putty forms of the same ß-TCP bone graft and analyze the efficiency in critical size calvarium defects. Material and Methods: Twenty male Wistar-Albino rats were employed for the study. Four bicortical bone defects with 5 mm diameter were created on each rat calvarium, and three defects were filled with particulate, block or putty ß-TCP graft and one defect was left empty. The animals were killed after 8 weeks. New bone formation, residual graft, loose connective tissue, condensed mesenchyme, alkaline phosphatase, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, osteocalcin were measured on the specimens. Results: Compared to block and putty forms, significantly higher new bone formation and least residual graft were observed in the particulate graft group. The residual graft was significantly higher in the block graft group than both the particulate and the putty groups. The cellular immunoreactivity of the samples in the particulate graft group was significantly higher. There was no significant difference between putty and block graft groups. Conclusion: Bone regeneration is significantly affected by the form of ß-TCP bone graft, and the particulate form was the most successful in our study.

Vitamin E Promotes Bone Formation in a Distraction Osteogenesis Model.

The long consolidation period of distraction osteogenesis (DO) may lead to complications such as pain, infection, fracture, scar formation, malunion and delayed union. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of systemic Vitamin E application during mandibular DO on new bone regeneration in a rabbit model. 16 adult male 8 months old New Zealand rabbits underwent mandibular lengthening with a distractor for the study. After the latency period of 5 days, the distractor was activated at a rate of 0.5 mm/12 hours for 7 days. Experimental animals received 200 mg/kg injections of α-tocopherol intraperitoneally for 7 days starting with the operation. After the consolidation period of 30 days, rabbits were sacrificed. Lengthened mandibles were obtained and subjected to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), radiologic and histomorphometric analysis. Statistically, bone mineral density and bone mineral content values were found to be significantly higher in the experimental group than the control group during DXA analysis. Rabbits in the experimental group had statistically higher scores in terms of osteoblast, osteoclast, vessel numbers and newly formed bone area than the control group. Results of the present study showed that systemic Vitamin E application during DO may stimulate new bone formation in rabbits and thus results in shortened treatment time.

Bone Flap Technique With Piezosurgery for Impacted Teeth Extraction and Bone Cysts Removal Without Additional Fixation.

To explore a new surgical approach for impacted teeth extraction and cystectomy using piezosurgery that provides proper bone healing in normal anatomical structure without additional fixation and graft materials.In cases with intact and relatively thicker vestibular compact bone, a bone flap design was used with converging osteotomy lines made with piezosurgery tips which allow proper stabilization after enucleation or extraction.Procedure was performed in 10 patients with 9 to 36 months follow-up resulted in satisfactory healing without any complications.Comparing to traditional techniques, effective enucleation and accelerated bone regeneration are achieved, with reduced risk of complications, operation time, and costs.