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Implant-guided vertical bone growth in the mini-pig
Martin Freilich1, Bo Wen1, David Shafer1
1Department of Reconstructive Sciences, Center for Biomaterials, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USADepartment of Craniofacial Sciences, Division of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USADepartment of Reconstructive Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USAOralfacial Surgery Section, Clinic for Special Medicine, Stavanger, NorwayInstitut Straumann, Basel, Switzerland.
Guided vertical bone regeneration was achieved using non-glycosylated recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (ng/rhBMP-2) with biomaterial scaffolds and retainers. This method enhanced bone height and bone-to-implant contact around dental implants.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Dental Implantology
Background:
- Guided bone regeneration is crucial for dental implant success.
- Titanium (Ti) and titanium zirconium (Ti-Zr) implants are widely used.
- Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are key in bone formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate guided vertical bone regeneration around Ti and Ti-Zr implants.
- To assess the efficacy of non-glycosylated recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (ng/rhBMP-2) with biomaterial scaffolds and retainers.
- To compare scaffold stabilization methods using umbrella retainers versus wide-neck (WN) healing caps.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-two modified Straumann TE implants were placed in mini-pig mandibles.
- Resorbable scaffolds with or without ng/rhBMP-2 were used around implants.
- Scaffolds were stabilized with custom Ti umbrella retainers or WN healing caps.
- Bone regeneration was assessed via micro-CT and histology at 9 weeks.
Main Results:
- Soft tissue healing was superior in sites with ng/rhBMP-2 and scaffolds.
- Both stabilization methods (umbrella and WN caps) yielded similar bone height, bone-to-implant contact (BIC), and bone volume.
- WN healing caps showed significantly greater new bone height and BIC compared to controls (P=0.05).
- Umbrella retainers showed significantly greater BIC and new bone volume compared to controls (P=0.05).
Conclusions:
- Vertical bone regeneration was successfully achieved using ng/rhBMP-2, biomaterial scaffolds, and scaffold retainers.
- The combination of ng/rhBMP-2 and scaffolds effectively promotes bone regeneration around dental implants.
- Both tested scaffold stabilization methods proved effective in enhancing bone regeneration.
