Biological Impact of Alloplastic Bone Graft vs Bovine Xenograft and Allograft Materials in Bone Healing: An Experimental Study

AIM: This study aims to compare the performance of beta-tricalcium phosphate with calcium sulfate (β-TCP/CS) vs a bovine xenograft, freeze-dried mineralized allograft, and spontaneous healing in surgically prepared bone defects in rabbit tibia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The grafting materials were implanted in three out of four standardized monocortical bony defects, 3-mm diameter and 3-mm deep, in rabbit tibia while one defect was left empty for spontaneous healing as a control group. Twelve rabbits were euthanized at 2 and 6 weeks after surgery. The bone tissue specimens were histologically evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome and osteoprotegrin (OPG) immunohistochemical staining. Results were quantitatively evaluated. RESULTS: An enhancement of bone healing was noticed in the defects grafted with β-TCP/CS compared with all other groups at 2 and 6 weeks after surgery as it showed significant increase in OPG expression and a significant decrease in the amount of collagen at 6 weeks after surgery. The residual grafted particles were the least with β-TCP/CS at 6 weeks after surgery. CONCLUSION: The β-TCP/CS grafting material is a promising bioactive alloplastic bone substitute as it proved to be biocompatible, osteoconductive, and bioresorbable bone substitute. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The β-TCP/CS grafting material can be used for guided bone regeneration resulting in pronounced high-quality bone which aids in oral and maxillofacial reconstruction.