Induced Osteogenesis in the Repair of Experimental Mandibular Defects in Rats

Abstract

The repair of mandibular defects was investigated. A nonhealing model in the ramus of the rat mandible was devised. The large full-thickness defects, devoid of periosteum, were filled with demineralized bone powder (DBP), lyophilized bone chips and undemineralized bone powder (BP) or were irrigated with Ringer''s lactate. Healing was judged by gross and histological examination and by incorporation of 45Ca into hydroxyapatite. DBP produced more rapid and complete healing than did BP or lyophilized chips. BDP did not undergo appreciable resorption prior to bone formation and was a more potent osteogenic stimulus than was BO or lyophilized chips.