Octacalcium phosphate/gelatin composite facilitates bone regeneration of critical-sized mandibular defects in rats: A quantitative study

Background. Regeneration of bone defects remains a challenge for maxillofacial surgeons. The present study aimed to com-pare the effects of octacalcium phosphate (OCP) and the combination of octacalcium phosphate/gelatin (OCP/Gel) on man-dibular bone regeneration in rats Methods. In the present study, 36 male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The animals were randomly assigned to the follow-ing experimental groups: OCP (n=12), OCP/Gel (n=12), and the control group (n=12). Defects were created in the rat man-dibles and filled with 10 mg of OCP and OCP/Gel disks in the experimental groups. In the control group, however, no sub-stance was administered. Samples were taken on days 7, 14, 21 and 56, respectively, after the implantation. Sections (5 μ) were prepared and stained by H&E. The sections were studied, and the volume fraction of newly formed bone was measured by Dunnett's T3 test based on the significance level (P=0.05). Results. In the experimental groups, the new bone formation began from the margin of defects 7‒14 days after the implan-tation. During the healing process, the newly formed bone healed a larger area of the defects and grew structurally. In the control group, the defects were primarily filled with dense connective tissue, and only a small amount of new bone was formed. The present study showed a statistically significant difference in the volume of newly formed bone between the experimental groups and the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion. OCP/Gel composite can be beneficial in the healing process of mandibular bone defects.