Abstract
β-TCP is a biodegradable bone regenerative material which has been noted to possess several limitations due to its granular property. Similarly, CM-chitin is a sponge-like material known to decompose in the body. Therefore, in order to improve the use of β-TCP, the combined form of β-TCP/CM-chitin was developed and its bone regenerative properties were tested. This study consisted of four test groups: The empty control group, the hydroxyapatite group, the β-TCP granule group, and the β-TCP/CM-chitin group. These materials were implanted in the mandible of canines and bone samples were harvested at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months after implantation. Histological sections were prepared with hematoxylin-eosin staining. Lastly, degrees of new bone formation in the bone defects were measured by image analysis software. Although the empty control group had a smaller quantity of new bone compared with other groups at 1 month, the empty control group became similar to the latter two groups at 3months. The HA group was similar to the β-TCP group and the β-TCP/CM-chitin group at 1 month, however the HA group was less than the other groups after 3 months. Finally, the quantity of new bone in the β-TCP group and the β-TCP/CM-chitin group increased faster and more sufficiently than in the other groups at all stages. No statistically significant differences were recognized in each group at each stage. Although smaller amounts of β-TCP granules were used in the β-TCP/CM-chitin group, this group showed the same amount of bone formation as the β-TCP group, thus suggesting that CM-chitin does not inhibit bone growth. Furthermore, due to CM-chitin’s sponge-like structure, the β-TCP/CM-chitin group was easier to handle than the β-TCP granules alone. These observations suggest that β-TCP/CM-chitin is a useful bone substitute and may have applications to oral surgery.
