Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Materials and Energy Research Center, Karaj, Iran.
2
Department of Clinical Sciences, Surgery and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
3
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
4
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
5
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
6
Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
7
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Background: Beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) is one of the most extensively studied synthetic bone substitutes because of its favorable biocompatibility, biodegradability, and osteoconductive properties. Despite widespread clinical application, the influence of anatomical site on the regenerative performance of β-TCP remains incompletely understood. This study aimed to evaluate histological bone regeneration and tissue response following implantation of β-TCP granules in experimentally created canine skeletal defects.
Methods: This experimental study included 10 adult dogs, divided into two groups of 5, one with standardized bone defects surgically created in the mandible (group 1), and one with defects surgically created in the proximal femur (group 2). Defects in each group were divided into subgroups of treatment (β-TCP treated) and control (untreated defects). Following a four-month healing period, specimens were harvested and subjected to histological and histomorphometric evaluation. New bone formation, graft integration, osteoblastic activity, inflammatory response, and tissue maturation were assessed.
Results: Substantial new bone formation was observed in β-TCP-treated defects compared with untreated controls. Histological study demonstrated extensive trabecular bone formation, active osteogenesis, and progressive replacement of implanted granules by newly formed bone. No evidence of infection, foreign-body reaction, granulomatous inflammation, or tissue necrosis was identified. Differences between the two groups were observed. Femoral bone defects exhibited more advanced maturation characterized by increased lamellar bone formation, whereas mandibular defects predominantly contained woven bone at the end of the 4-month period.
Conclusion: β-TCP has excellent biocompatibility and effectively supports bone regeneration in canine skeletal defects. The regenerative response differs between the mandibular and femoral defect models, suggesting that local biological, biomechanical, and defect-model characteristics may contribute to the quality and maturation of regenerated bone.
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