Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the mechanical characteristics and the clinical usefulness of beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HA) bioblocks grafted in edentulous jaws of 12 patients.
Methods: The scaffolds were produced by robocasting ceramic inks containing 80%/20% β-TCP and HA, respectively, with an overall porosity of 60%, with a macropore size between 300 and 500 μm. The mechanical performance of cylindrical vs conical specimens was compared using a universal testing machine. The clinical study was performed on 12 edentulous patients who received 4 cylindrical bone bioblocks. After 10 to 16 weeks of osseointegration, the bioblocks were explanted with trephine for histologic analysis by Goldner and Von Kossa staining.
Results: Conical shapes were significantly stronger (96.4 ± 8.7 MPa) than cylindrical shapes (87.8 ± 12.2 MPa). The overall degree of porosity ranged from 53.4% to 58.1% in the coronal region to 62.5% to 66.9% at the apex. After the maturation period, 41 valid bioblocks (85.4%) were obtained for histologic study. Bone showing some cellularity was found in 68.4% of the samples, indicating biologically active bone, and adequate calcification was found in 31.7% of the samples. In terms of biomaterial degradation, 73.2% of the samples were completely resorbed or showed significant resorption.
Conclusions: The 80%/20% β-TCP and HA grafts customized by robocasting appear adequate for regenerating self-contained defects.
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