Investigation of bone formation using calcium phosphate glass cement in beagle dogs

Among available biomaterials, bioceramics have drawn special interest due to their bioactivity and the possibility of tailoring their composition. The degradation rate and formulation of bioceramics can be altered to mimic the compositions of the mineral phase of bone. The aim of this study was to investigate the bone formation effect of amorphous calcium phosphate glass cement (CPGC) synthesized by a melting and quenching process. In five male beagle dogs, 4 x 4 mm 1-wall intrabony defects were created bilaterally at the mesial or distal aspect of the mandibular second and fourth premolars. Each of the four defects was divided according to graft materials: CPGC with collagen membrane (CM), biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) with CM, CM alone, or a surgical flap operation only. The dogs were sacrificed 8 weeks post-surgery, and block sections of the defects were collected for histologic and histometric analysis. There were significant differences in bone formation and cementum regeneration between the experimental and control groups. In particular, the CPGC and BCP groups showed greater bone formation than the CM and control groups. In conclusion, CPGC was replaced rapidly with an abundant volume of new bone; CPGC also contributed slightly to regeneration of the periodontal apparatus.