Evaluation of a Granular Bone Substitute for Bone Regeneration Using an Optimized In Vivo Alveolar Cleft Model

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Background:

• Alveolar cleft is a common congenital defect requiring surgical bone grafting.
• Bone substitutes combined with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show potential for defect repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the regenerative capacity of a granular bone substitute in an optimized rat alveolar cleft model.
• To evaluate the efficacy of the bone substitute with and without Wharton's jelly MSCs.

Main Methods:

• An alveolar cleft defect was created in 36 rats and filled with silicone.
• After 5 weeks, silicone was replaced with the bone substitute (± MSCs) or left empty (control).
• Micro-computed tomography (μCT) scans were performed at baseline, 4, and 8 weeks post-treatment.

Main Results:

• Both treatment groups showed statistically significant improvements in bone volume and mineral density at 4 and 8 weeks compared to the control group.
• Bone volume increased to over 90% in treatment groups versus approximately 76% in controls.
• Mineral density also showed significant increases in treatment groups.

Conclusions:

• The granular bone substitute, particularly with MSCs, demonstrates significant bone regenerative potential in the validated rat alveolar cleft model.
• Further research is necessary to optimize the material for complete bone defect healing in clinical applications.