Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the bone regeneration of critical size defects in rabbit calvarias filled with β-TCP doped with silicon.
Materials and methods: Twenty-one New Zealand rabbits were used in this study. Two critical size defects were created in the parietal bones. Three experimental groups were evaluated: Test A (HA/β-TCP granules alone), Test B (HA/β-TCP granules plus 3% silicon), Control (empty defect). The animals were sacrificed at 8 and 12 weeks. Evaluation was performed by μCT analysis and histomorphometry.
Results: μCT evaluation showed higher volume reduction in Test A group compared with Test B (P < 0.05). The Test B group showed the highest values for cortical closure and bone formation around the particles, followed by Test A and controls (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Within the limitations of this animal study, it can be concluded that HA/β-TCP plus 3% silicon increases bone formation in critical size defects in rabbit calvarias, and the incorporation of 3% silicon reduces the resorption rate of the HA/β-TCP granules.
Keywords: bone graft; bone substitutes; silicon; skull rabbits; β-TCP.
© 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.