Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a biphasic synthetic bone graft material composed of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and calcium sulfate (CS) in 12 New Zealand rabbits.
Materials and methods: A circular bicortical critical-size cranial defect was created in each of 12 rabbits. The defects were grafted with β-TCP/CS. Animals were euthanized at 3 and 6 weeks. Harvested tissue specimens were evaluated histologically and histomorphometrically. Parameters associated with new bone formation and graft resorption were measured and calculated. The results were statistically analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test.
Results: Our data demonstrated the biocompatibility of synthetic β-TCP/CS, as no inflammatory response was observed, and no fibrosis was developed between the graft particles and the newly formed bone. Moreover, β-TCP/CS acted as an osteoconductive scaffold that allowed a significant bone regeneration and graft biodegradation with time.
Conclusion: In this animal model, synthetic β-TCP/CS proved to be a biocompatible, osteoconductive, and bioresorbable bone graft substitute.