Sinus floor augmentation with recombinant human growth and differentiation factor-5 (rhGDF-5): a histological and histomorphometric study in the Goettingen miniature pig

Aim: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that recombinant human growth and differentiation factor‐5 (rhGDF‐5) enhances bone formation in sinus floor augmentations in miniature pigs. Material and methods: The maxillary sinus floors in 12 adult female Goettingen minipigs were augmented with β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) on one side. The contralateral test side was augmented using two concentrations of rhGDF‐5 (400 μg rhGDF‐5/g β‐TCP; 800 μg rhGDF‐5/g β‐TCP) delivered on β‐TCP (six animals each). One dental implant was inserted into each sinus floor augmentation. After 4 and 12 weeks, histological and histomorphometric assessment of non‐decalcified histological specimens was performed. Results: The results showed significantly higher mean values of volume density (VD) of newly formed bone using the concentration of 400 μg/g β‐TCP (22.8%) compared with the respective control (8%) after 4 weeks (P=0.05). The bone‐to‐implant contact rates were also significantly enhanced after 4 weeks between test sites (400 μg: 41.9%; 800 μg: 40.6%) and control sites (400 μg: 7.8%; 800 μg: 16.4%) (400 μg: P=0.024; 800 μg: P=0.048). Conclusion: It is concluded that rhGDF‐5 delivered on β‐TCP significantly enhanced early bone formation compared with β‐TCP alone in sinus lift procedures in miniature pigs.