Bone reaction to different bone grafting materials: A histopathologic animal study

Introduction & Aim: Rabbit’s calvaria was challenged with Tri Calcium Phosphate (TCP), Bovine-
Derived Hydroxyapatite (BioOss), Calcium Sulfate (CaS), Demineralized Freeze-dried bone allograft
(DFDBA), White Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (wMTA), Ostin and a Calcium Enriched Mixture
(CEM) cement to evaluate and compare the bone histopathologic response to these materials.
Method and Materials: 48 holes in the calvaria of 12 male Australian rabbits were randomly filled
with TCP, BioOss, CaS, DFDBA, wMTA, Ostin and CEM. One month later, histological evaluations
were performed on the samples using an optical microscope. The type and extension of regenerated
bone, the extent of absorbed material, the amount of inflammation and the presence of inflammatory
cells (foreign body giant cells, lymphocytes, plasmacells, monocytes and macrophages were
recorded by pathologist. Statistical analysis was carried out with Kruskal-Wallis, Fisher’s exact test
and ANOVA when appropriate.
Results & Conclusion: The type of regenerated bone in the defect area didn’t show a significant
difference between groups (p=0.3895); while the amount of inflammation was significantly different
(P=0.029), and BioOss had the least amount of inflammation while the CEM group was associated
with the highest amount followed by DFDBA. The presence of foreign-body giant cells was also
significantly different between the groups (p=0.0009) and the presence or absence of other
inflammatory cells didn’t show a significant difference (p>0.05). Concerning bone formation and
extension, no significant difference was detected between groups (P=0.475). Also, the groups had a
significant difference concerning the amount of material resorption (p=0.002); the DFDBA group
had the highest and the TCP group had the lowest score.
Keywords: Bone grafting material, Bone reaction, Rabbit Calvaria