Investigation of early bone formation using resorbable bioactive glass in the rat mandible
Furusawa, T.; Mizunuma, K.; Yamashita, S.; Takahashi, T.
International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants 13(5): 672-676
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0882-2786 PMID: 9796151 Document Number: 486249
Recent advances in biomaterial technology have made alloplastic bone substitutes more predictable when used with the proper clinical methodology in carefully selected patients. In this animal study, early bone formation using a novel resorbable bioactive glass in the repair of surgically created bony defects in the rat mandible was investigated. Biopsies taken from the implanted sites after 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, and 16 weeks were examined histologically by means of standard cell-staining techniques. In addition, an electron probe microanalyzer was used to determine the presence and distribution of specific elements in samples taken after 16 weeks. Results indicated the early stage of osteoconductive bone growth after approximately 4 weeks. After 16 weeks, electron probe micro-analyzer scans indicated the formation of a calcium-phosphate shell formed in situ and the resorption of silica to background levels.