Histopathological morphometric evaluation of 2 different hydroxyapatite-bone derivatives in sinus augmentation procedures: a comparative study in humans

The amount of newly formed bone in sinus grafting procedures depends on tissue depth as well as the type and residual amount of the grafted material

OBJECTIVES

Bone replacement substitutes are almost unavoidable in augmentation procedures such as sinus grafting. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the osteoconductive capability of two different scaffold fillers in inducing newly formed bone in this procedure.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sinus floor augmentation and implant placement were carried out bilaterally in 12 patients. Bovine bone mineral (BBM) was grafted on one side and beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) on the contralateral side. Both were mixed (1:1 ratio) with autogenous cortical bone chips harvested from the mandible by a scraper. Hard tissue specimen cores were retrieved from the augmented sites (at the previous window area) at 12 months. Decalcified sections were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and the fraction area of new bone and filler particles was measured. In addition to the effect of the filler on new bone formation, the latter was tested to determine whether it correlated with the tissue depth and residual amount of the grafted material.

RESULTS

Bone area fraction increased significantly from peripheral to deeper areas at both grafted sites in all cores: from 26.0% to 37.7% at the beta-TCP sites and from 33.5% to 53.7% at the BBM-grafted sites. At each depth the amount of new bone in BBM sites was significantly greater than that in TCP sites. However, the average area fraction of grafted material particles was similar in both fillers and all depth levels (beta-TCP=27.9-23.2% and BBM=29.2-22.6%, NS). A significant negative correlation was found between bone area fraction and particle area fraction at the middle (p=0.009) and deep (p=0.014) depths in the beta-TCP sites, but not at the BBM sites.

CONCLUSION

At 12 months post-augmentation, the two examined bone fillers, beta-TCP and BBM, promoted new bone formation in sinus grafting but the amount of newly formed bone was significantly greater in BBM-grafted sites. However, both exhibited similar residual grafted material area fraction at this healing period. This could imply that BBM possesses better osteoconductive properties.

Neuartiges Knochenaufbaumaterial auf Kalziumphosphatbasis

BACKGROUND

Up to now hydroxyapatite (HA) and beta-tricalciumphosphate (beta-TCP) ceramics have been routinely sintered at temperatures between 1100 degrees and 1500 degrees C. Our new calcium ceramic is fabricated by a sol-gel process at 200 degrees C. The aim of this investigation was to test the biodegradation of and the induction of bone formation by this material.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Eighteen 1-year-old Goettingen minipigs were divided into three groups. Critical size defects (>5 cm(3)) in the mandible were treated differently in all three animals (group 1: filling with 40% beta-TCP plus 60% HA, group 2: pure HA was applied, group 3 served as controls: only gelatinous material was given). Macroscopic and microscopic investigations of the former defects were made 8 months postoperatively. RESULTS. In groups 1 and 2 biodegradation of more than 93% of the new calcium phosphate formula was found 8 months postoperatively and considered to be very good. No difference was observed between pure HA (group 2) and the combination of HA and beta-TCP (group 1). In both groups complete bone formation was seen macroscopically in the former defects. In the control group only incomplete bone formation with 48.4% of the defect area was noted. This difference was significant ( p<0.001).

DISCUSSION

The new calcium phosphate formula made by a sol-gel method at 120 degrees C seems to be suitable for filling bone defects and is of interest for orthopedic surgery, traumatology, craniomaxillofacial surgery, and dentistry.

[Sinus floor elevation and augmentation. Evidence-based analysis of prognosis and risk factors]

AIM

It was the aim of this investigation to analyze evidence of prognosis, predictors, and risk factors concerning sinus floor elevation and augmentation (SFEA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A MEDLINE search was performed to analyze the literature published between 1990 and 2002, limited to keywords ("sinus floor elevation and dental implants", "complications", "success"), study type (randomized as well as clinical prospective studies, retrospective studies, reviews), and language (German or English).

RESULTS

Of 229 publications identified, 72 met the inclusion criteria (22 prospective and 47 retrospective studies, 3 reviews). Considering the augmentation material [autogenous bone (AB), bone substitution materials (BSM), and combinations of AB and BSM], the frequency of implant loss was not significantly different (AB 8%, BSM 9%, AB + BSM 5%, p>0.09) after an observation period of 2-4 years. The average duration of the healing period was 6 months (AB) and 8 months (BSM) with simultaneous SFEA and implantation and 6-7 months (AB and BSM) for the staged approach after an average healing period of 6 months for the augmentation materials. Frequency of implant loss was not different between simultaneous and staged approaches (7-8%). Postoperative sinusitis occurred in 3-8% of the cases. Smoking, positive sinusitis history, obstructive pathoses of the nose and ostium, allergic rhino-pathoses, use of short implants (<13 mm), treatment of edentulous maxilla compared to partially edentulous maxilla, bruxism, and uncontrolled early loading of implants were identified as predictors for complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Presupposing proper consideration of indications, SFEA should be considered as an evidence-based and clinically established method for implant prosthetic rehabilitation of the atrophic posterior maxilla with an overall cumulative survival rate of 90% within an average observation period of 4 years.

Efficacy of bovine bone mineral for alveolar augmentation: a human histologic study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the osteoconductivity of bovine bone mineral in humans. Fifteen patients referred to a private specialist surgical practice were treated consecutively for the repair of alveolar defects, and/or ridge maintenance at the site of extraction sockets, prior to implantation. Bio-Oss xenograft (Geistlich Pharma, Wolhusen, Switzerland) was utilized as the principal grafting material. Bone cores were trephined out at the time of implant placement and processed and examined to evaluate the tissue response under the light microscope. A total of 22 trephines were processed for histomorphometric evaluation to calculate the mean percentage of bone, residual graft and connective tissue by area. In addition, the mean percentage bone-to-graft contact was also calculated. The mean percentage area of new bone formation was 26.9%, and the percentage of residual graft and connective tissue as 25.6% and 47.4% respectively. The mean percentage contact length between bone and residual graft was 34%. One implant placed into a site, which was histologically identified as having little new bone and, unusually, an inflammatory infiltrate, failed with mobility at abutment connection. All other implants were restored into function, with a survival rate at baseline of 97%.

Qualitative and Quantitative Expression of Bovine Bone Mineral in Experimental Bone Defects. Part 2: Morphometric Analysis

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to evaluate morphometrically the rate of resorbability of an inorganic bovine bone material in a standardized intrabony defect in dogs whether protected or unprotected by a bioabsorbable membrane at different healing periods, and to assess histomorphometrically the amount of osteoconductivity of this material and final healing site configuration.

METHODS

In eight mongrel dogs, four round intrabony defects (5 x 4 mm) were made on the lateral mandibular angle, bilaterally at a different given time. Bovine bone mineral randomly filled two sites, while the other two were left with blood clot. A bioabsorbable collagen membrane covered each type of defect. The blood clotted uncovered sites served as controls. Section blocks for histology were made at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Following the non-decalcification method and staining with Stevenel's blue and van Gieson's picro fuchsin, morphometric analysis was performed on each specimen lesion type.

RESULTS

Average bone area fraction at the bovine bone mineral uncovered sites (BBM) was 23.1%, 44%, 63.4%, and 58.8% at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. Differences were statistically significant between 3 to 6 and 6 to 12 months (P<0.001). Average particle area fraction was 35.6%, 29%, 27.6%, and 26.8% at the respective periods. Differences were statistically significant between 3 to 6 months (P<0.05). In the bovine bone mineral membrane-protected (BBMM) sites, average bone area fraction was 26.4%, 51.7%, 61.2%, and 52.4% at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. Differences were statistically significant between 3 to 6 months (P<0.05). Average particle area fraction was 37.9%, 29.8%, 26.8%, and 33.7%, respectively. Differences between the two sites with regard to the newly formed bone and particle presence were insignificant. In both, the increasing pattern of osteoconduction as expressed by the osteoconductivity test along the different healing periods was similar, as well as the decreasing pattern of the remaining concavity of the healing site configuration. Multiple comparison analysis of bone area fraction disclosed statistically significant superiority (P<0.05) of the membrane-ungrafted sites over BBM sites at 3 and 6 months and over BBMM sites at 6 months. Bone area fraction of the BBMM sites (51.7%) was statistically higher than the control sites (37.5%) (P<0.05). At 12 months, all test sites were statistically superior over the controls with regard to the regenerated bone and its healing configuration; i.e., remaining concavity of the defect. The healing site configuration of the test sites was persistently different from the control sites at 24 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Newly formed bone and complete healing were evident in the BBM and BBMM sites. The membrane contributed no substantial benefits. Bovine bone particle resorptive phase was observed up to 6 months. Thereafter, there was no continued resorption up to 24 months observation.