Comparison of Material-mediated Bone Regeneration Capacities of Sintered and Non-sintered Xenogeneic Bone Substitutes via 2D and 3D Data

Abstract

Background/aim: The aim of this study was the development of a new osteoconductivity index to determine the bone healing capacities of bone substitute materials (BSM) on the basis of 3D microcomputed tomographic (μ-CT) data.

Materials and methods: Sinus biopsies were used for the comparative analysis of the integration behavior of two xenogeneic BSM (cerabone® and Bio-Oss®). 3D μ-CT and data sets from histomorphometrical measurements based on 2D histological slices were used to measure the bone-material-contact and the tissue distribution within the biopsies. The tissue reactions to both BSM were microscopically analyzed.

Results: The 3D and 2D results of the osteoconductivity measurements showed comparable material-bone contacts for both BSM, but the 2D data were significantly lower. The same results were found when tissue distribution was measured in both groups. The histopathological analysis showed comparative tissue reactions in both BSM.

Conclusion: Osteoconductivity index is a reliable measurement parameter for determining the healing capacities of BSM. The observed differences between both measurement methods could be assigned to the resolution capacity of μ-CT data that did not allow for a precise interface distinction between both BSM and bone tissue. Histomorphometrical data based on histological slides still allow for a more exact evaluation.

Keywords: Osteoconductivity index; bone regeneration; histomorphometry; micro-CT; tissue response; xenogeneic bone substitute.