The aim of this study was to evaluate whether local application of monetite granules would induce bone regeneration in critical size defects on rabbits calvaria. Novel monetite granules were synthesized by thermal conversion of preset brushite cement. Twelve female New Zealand rabbits were used for this study. Two identical 10-mm-diameter bicortical cranial defects were created in each animal. One of the defects was grafted with monetite granules while the contralateral was left unfilled as negative control. Animals were sacrificed at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery, and biopsies were taken for histological and histomorphometrical evaluation under light microscopy. Wilcoxon test was used for statistical analysis. The histological observations showed signs of graft resorption as newly formed bone tissue grew surrounding and penetrating the monetite granules. Histomorphometric evaluation showed that the augmented bone volume as well as the augmented mineral tissue was higher in the defects treated with monetite granules (p < 0.05) 8 weeks after the intervention. In this animal model, local application of the novel monetite granules in bone defects enhances bone healing significantly.
2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.