Effect of mesoporous silica and its combination with hydroxyapatite on the regeneration of rabbit's bone defects: A pilot study.

Background: Bone volume augmentation is a routine technique used in oral implantology and periodontology. Advances in the surgical techniques and the biomaterials field have allowed a greater accessibility to these treatments. Nevertheless, dehiscence and fenestrations incidence during dental implant procedures are still common in patients with bone loss.

Objective: The main objective is to evaluate in a pilot experimental study the biological response to mesoporous silica (MS) hybrid scaffolds and its regenerative capacity in different formulations.

Methods: Two defects per rabbit tibia were performed (one for control and other for test) and the biomaterials tested in this study have been used to fill the bone defects, prepared in two different formulations (3D hybrid scaffolds or powdered material, in 100% pure MS form, or 50% MS with 50% hydroxyapatite (HA). Euthanasia was performed 4 months after surgery for bone histopathological study and radiographic images were acquired by computerized microtomography.

Results: Results showed that radiographically and histopathologically pure MS formulations lead to a lower biological response, e.g when formulated with HA, the osteogenic response in terms of osteoconduction was greater.

Conclusions: We observed tolerance and lack of toxicity of the MS and HA, without registering any type of local or systemic allergic reaction.