Critical-sized mandibular defect reconstruction using human dental pulp stem cells in a xenograft model-clinical, radiological, and histological evaluation.

Purpose: This research evaluated clinical, histological, and radiological osseous regeneration in a critical-sized bilateral cortico-medullary osseous defect in model rabbits from New Zealand after receiving a hydroxyapatite matrix and polylactic polyglycolic acid (HA/PLGA) implanted with human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs).

Methods: Eight New Zealand rabbits with bilateral mandibular critical-sized defects were performed where one side was treated with an HA/PLGA/DPSC matrix and the other side only with an HA/PLGA matrix for 4 weeks.

Results: An osseointegration was clinically observed as well as a reduction of 70% of the surgical lumen on one side and a 35% on the other.