Abstract
Volume-stable collagen matrices (VSCM) are conductive for the connective tissue upon soft tissue augmentation. Considering that collagen has osteoconductive properties, we have investigated the possibility that the VSCM also consolidates with the newly formed bone. To this end, we covered nine rat calvaria circular defects with a VSCM. After four weeks, histology, histomorphometry, quantitative backscattered electron imaging, and microcomputed tomography were performed. We report that the overall pattern of mineralization inside the VSCM was heterogeneous. Histology revealed, apart from the characteristic woven bone formation, areas of round-shaped hypertrophic chondrocyte-like cells surrounded by a mineralized extracellular matrix. Quantitative backscattered electron imaging confirmed the heterogenous mineralization occurring within the VSCM. Histomorphometry found new bone to be 0.7 mm2 (0.01 min; 2.4 max), similar to the chondrogenic mineralized extracellular matrix with 0.7 mm2 (0.0 min; 4.2 max). Microcomputed tomography showed the overall mineralized tissue in the defect to be 1.6 mm3 (min 0.0; max 13.3). These findings suggest that in a rat cranial defect, VSCM has a limited and heterogeneous capacity to support intramembranous bone formation but may allow the formation of bone via the endochondral route.
Highlights
The histological analysis identified a heterogeneous pattern of bone formation within the implanted Volume-stable collagen matrices (VSCM) (Figures 1–4) in eight specimens (A); one specimen had no bone formation penetrating into the VSCM (Figure 5)
This analysis was based on the manual segmentation of tissue with a characteristic morphology as indicated by Figure 6 showing the false-color staining in the various regions of interest (ROIs)
VSCMs serve as scaffolds for soft tissue augmentation around teeth or dental implants [10,11,12,33]
Summary
Regenerative dentistry is an umbrella term for all procedures aiming to regain the form and function of oral tissues that are lost, mainly due to periodontal and periapical inflammatory osteolysis and the atrophy of the alveolar bone that occurs upon tooth extraction [1]. Dental implants can replace lost teeth with the remaining challenge to regenerate the lost bone, a process termed bone augmentation. Autologous bone, allografts, or bone substitutes and combinations thereof guide the newly formed bone to mechanically support the dental implants [2]. It requires sufficient soft tissue to seal the augmented site and the dental implant towards the oral cavity [3,4]. The soft tissue dimension including its thickness can be a limitation to achieve a stable and esthetic
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