Bone regeneration of a polymeric sponge technique-Alloplastic bone substitute materials compared with a commercial synthetic bone material (MBCP+TM technology): A histomorphometric study in porcine skull.

Background: Polymeric sponge technique is recommended for developing the desired porosity of Biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) which may favor bone regeneration.

Purpose: To investigate the healing of BCP with ratio of HA30/β-TCP70 (HA30) and HA70/β-TCP30 (HA70) polymeric sponge preparation, compare to commercial BCP (MBCP+TM).

Materials And Methods: Materials were tested X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. In eight male pigs, six calvarial defects were created in each subject. The defects were the filled with 1 cc of autogenous bone, MBCP+TM (MBCP), HA30, HA70, and left empty (negative group). The new bone formations, residual material particles and bone-to-graft contacts were analyzed at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks.

Results: Fabricated BCP showed well-distributed porosity. At 16 weeks, new bone formations were 45.26% (autogenous), 33.52% (MBCP), 24.34% (HA30), 19.43% (HA70) and 3.37% (negative). Residual material particles were 1.88% (autogenous), 17.58% (MBCP), 26.74% (HA30) and 37.03% (HA70). These values were not significant differences (Bonferroni correction <0.005). Bone-to-graft contacts were 73.68% (MBCP), which was significantly higher than 41.68% (HA30) and 14.32% (HA70; Bonferroni correction <0.017).

Conclusions: Polymeric sponge technique offers well-distributed porosity. The new bone formation and residual material particles were comparable to MBCP+TM, but the bone-to-graft contact was lower than MBCP+TM.