Past studies in humans have demonstrated horizontal and vertical bone loss after six months following tooth extraction. Many biomaterials have been developed to preserve bone volume after tooth extraction. Type I collagen serves as an excellent delivery system for growth factors and promotes angiogenesis. Calcium phosphate ceramics have also been investigated because their mineral chemistry resembles human bone. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of a novel bioresorbable purified fibrillar collagen and hydroxyapatite/β-tricalcium phosphate (HA/β-TCP) ceramic composite versus collagen alone and a bovine xenograft-collagen composite in beagles. Collagen plugs, bovine graft-collagen composite and HA/β-TCP-collagen composite were implanted into the left and right first, second and third mandibular premolars, and the fourth molar was left empty for natural healing. In total, 20 male beagle dogs were used, and quantitative and histological analyses of the extraction ridge was done. The smallest width reduction was 19.09% ± 8.81% with the HA/β-TCP-collagen composite at Week 8, accompanied by new bone formation at Weeks 4 and 8. The HA/β-TCP-collagen composite performed well, as a new osteoconductive and biomimetic composite biomaterial, for socket bone preservation after tooth extraction.

Calcium phosphate cement (CPC) is a promising material for use in minimally invasive surgery for bone defect repairs due to its bone-like apatitic final setting product, biocompatibility, bioactivity, self-setting characteristics, low setting temperature, adequate stiffness, and easy shaping into complicated geometrics. However, even though CPC is stable in vivo, the resorption rate of this bone cement is very slow and its long setting time poses difficulties for clinical use. Calcium sulfate dehydrate (CSD) has been used as a filler material and/or as a replacement for cancellous bone grafts due to its biocompatibility. However, it is resorbed too quickly to be optimal for bone regeneration. This study examines the invivo response of a hydroxyapatite (HA), [apatitic phase (AP)]/calcium sulfate (CSD) composite using different ratios in the mandibular premolar sockets of beagles. The HA (AP)/CSD composite materials were prepared in the ratios of 30/70, 50/50, and 70/30 and then implanted into the mandibular premolar sockets for terms of 5 and 10 weeks. The control socket was left empty. The study shows better new bone morphology and more new bone area in the histological and the histomorphometric study of the HA (AP)/CSD in the 50/50 ratio.

Hydroxyapatite (Ca(10)(PO(4))(6)(OH)(2)), with its high biocompatibility and good bioaffinity, stimulates osteoconduction and is slowly replaced by the host bone after implantation. However, clinical use of HA as a bone substitute has proved problematic. It is difficult to prevent dispersion of the HA granules and to mold the granules into the desired shape. Calcium sulfate as a bone graft substitute is rapidly resorbed in vivo releasing calcium ions, but fails to provide a long-term, three-dimensional framework to support osteoconduction. The setting properties of calcium sulfate, however, allow it to be applied in a slurry form, making it easier to handle and apply in different situations. This study examines the in vivo response of a (Hydroxyapatite, apatitic phase)/calcium sulfate dehydrate (CSD) composite using different ratios in the mandibular premolar sockets of the beagle. The HA (AP)/CSD composite materials prepared in ratios of 30/70, 50/50, and 70/30 were implanted into the mandibular premolar sockets for 5 and 10 weeks. The control socket was empty. The authors compared the radiographic properties and the changes in height and width of the mandibular premolar sockets in the beagle. The composite graft in the 30/70 ratio had the best ability to form new bones.

Introduction: The formation of a stereocomplex between PLLA and PDLA has been studied intensively because it increases the mechanical performance and thermal/hydrolytic resistance of polylactide-based materials; however, few studies have investigated the stereocomplex formation between PLLA and the (D-lactide)-containing PLLA copolymer. To investigate the effect of the D-lactide content of PLLA on the thermal behaviors and mechanical properties, (5D/95L) polylactide [(5D/95L)PLA], which contains a molar ratio of 5% of the D-form and 95% of the L-form of the monomer, and (15D/85L) polylactide [(15D/85L)PLA], which contains a molar ratio of 15% of the D-form and 85% of the L-form of the monomer, were used in a series of specimens. For the hydrolytic degradation test, the specimens were placed in 20-mL vials, which were filled with phosphate-buffered solution; the vials were allowed to stand at 57°C for 91 days in accordance with the ASTM F1635-95 (2000) standard test method for in vitro studies. The mechanical properties, thermal properties and crystallization behaviors were investigated using DSC and MTS, respectively. Results: The initial bending strength of the (5D/95L)PLA and (15D/85L)PLA were 35.4 and 31.1 N, respectively. After 1 week, the binding strength of the (5D/95L)PLA increased by 9.8%, and the binding strength of the (15D/85L)PLA decreased by 26%. In addition, the DSC curve of the (5D/95L)PLA demonstrated a higher melting temperature in the 1st week, and this Tc was observed in the DSC curve of the (5D/95L)PLA only during this time. The DSC curve of the (15D/85L)PLA was irregular. Discussion & Conclusions: In the (5D/95L)PLA, the recrystallization that occurred during the hydrolysis process was confirmed by the Tc and the increase in the bending strength. The stereocomplex crystallites may be formed in the (15D/85L)PLA during the degradation process. Because of the increase in the D-form monomer, the stereocomplexes were generated more easily and acted as nucleation sites. The PLLA crystal near the stereocomplex crystallites exhibited an incomplete structure, which led to a faster decrease in the bending strength. The low D-lactide content in the matrix of the PLLA did not form a stereocomplex crystallite because the surface area was not large enough to act as a nucleation site. However, the higher D-lactide-containing fraction formed a large stereocomplex crystallite. The (5D/95L)PLA demonstrated better thermal/hydrolytic resistance and mechanical stability than the (15D/85L)PLA.