The key to success for dental implants lies in the volume and quality of the bone in the recipient. Since a scarce amount of bone is often a problem, guided bone regeneration is a well-established solution.
A study in the Journal of Oral Implantology demonstrates complete bone regeneration of critical-size bone defects using a composite alloplastic graft of beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) in a calcium sulfate (CS) matrix without a membrane barrier. TCP, which is considered bioactive and biocompatible, is an alloplastic ceramic material that shows promise as a bone graft substitute. TCP cements have a slower resorption rate than bone, however, and are rather dense. By adding a faster resorbing material, pores may be created, ensuring new bone tissue growing into the defect. CS is a material that can fill that need. When CS is mixed with other bone graft materials, the osteogenesis is accelerated, the study finds. Calcification is increased and the needed quantity of new bone is achieved in a shorter period of time.
In the study, 2 types of bone substitute were tested: Fortoss Resorb, a porous ß-TCP synthetic graft, and Fortross Vital, a synthetic composite biomaterial based on a porous β-TCP in a matrix of CS. Artificial defects were created on each iliac crest in 4 dogs. The experimental defects were treated in 3 groups: β-TCP alone (Fortoss Resorb), β-TCP in a CS matrix (Fortross Vital), and ungrafted to heal spontaneously. After these defects were left to heal for 4 months, a significant difference was shown between the 2 β-TCP groups. The study concludes that the “β-TCP/CS combination demonstrated complete regeneration up to the cortex in all 10-mm specimens tested, while β-TCP alone did not succeed in regenerating these large-diameter defects.”
The full article text by Podaropoulos, et al, “Bone Regeneration Using β-Tricalcium Phosphate in a Calcium Sulfate Matrix,” is available at the Web site allepress.com/pdf/orim35.1_10.1563-2F1548-1336-35.1.pdf
(Source: Journal of Oral Implantology. Allen Press, March 4, 2009)
