Effects of dentin graft on bone mineral density of newly formed bone: an experimental animal study

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the bone mineral density of dentin used as bone graft material in bone defects. Materials and Methods: Sixteen male New Zealand white rabbits were used. Two critical-size calvarial bone defects were created in each rabbit and filled with different types of grafts. The bone defects were divided into four groups. The defects in group A1 were filled with processed dentin from human teeth; group A2 was filled with processed dentin from rabbit teeth; group B1 was filled with bovine bone (Bio-Oss), and the defects in group B2 were left empty. Bone mineral density was evaluated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the 4th and 12th weeks. Results: The bone mineral density values at the 4th week were not statistically different among groups A1, A2 and B1. However, the bone mineral density values at the 12th weeks were significantly higher for group B1 than the other groups. Histopathologic evaluations showed better bone-healing for group B1 than group A1 and A2. Conclusion: Dentin grafts and bovine bone graft have similar outcomes according to the bone mineral density values at the early term of bone-healing (4 weeks). However, in the late term of bone-healing (12 weeks), bone mineral density values of bovine bone were better than the other groups.