Efficacy of reconstruction of alveolar bone using an alloplastic hydroxyapatite tricalcium phosphate graft under biodegradable chambers

Abstract

Our aim was to test the efficacy of a synthetic alloplastic graft under biodegradable chambers to reconstruct a horizontal bony deficiency as an alternative to autogenous, allogeneic, or xenogenic grafts. We used 11 New Zealand white rabbits. On each rabbit's mandible one test sample (grafted chamber) was placed on the (right or left) body, while its control sample (empty (E) chamber) was placed on the other side. Twelve weeks postoperatively the animals were sacrificed and the samples extracted for gross assessment, micro-computed tomographic imaging, and histological and histomorphometric analyses. There was significantly more new bone with a greater surface area in the test group than in the control group, and the alloplastic graft was osteoconductive when used as an onlay graft under a synthetic biodegradable chamber. Synthetic products can be efficient alternatives to autogenic, allogeneic, or xenogenic grafts.