Physicochemical Characterization and Effects of Monetite Obtained from Titania-Reinforced Eggshell on Bone Repair: A New Possibility for Tissue Bioengineering?

Abstract Objectives to carry out physicomechanical characterization of the HA/DCPA/TiO₂ and to evaluate the tissue repair in rat calvaria. Methods Two bone defects were made in the calvaria of 36 Wistar rats, divided into groups: HA/DCPA, HA/DCPA/TiO₂ and sham (blood clot). The animals were euthanized at 30, 60 and 90 days and calvaria slides processed with hematoxylin/eosin. The newly formed bone, connective tissue, biomaterial remnant and total tissue repair percentages were calculated in relation to the total defect area. The HA/DCPA/TiO₂ was characterized structurally by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and chemically by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was submitted to apparent density (AD), apparent porosity (AP), water absorption (WA) and compressive strength (CS) physical tests. The ANOVA test was applied, followed by Turkey’s test and Student’s t test (p ≤ 0,05). Results The SEM showed biomaterials inside the bone defects and newly formed bone. EDS identified oxygen, calcium, phosphorus and titanium in the sample. The HA/DCPA/TiO₂ and HA/DCPA groups presented a total tissue repair area was larger than the sham group (p < 0.001). Conclusions The physical-mechanical assays showed that HA/DCPA/TiO₂ has AD and CS properties within the limits of trabecular bone and with values higher than HA/DCPA.HA/DCPA/TiO₂ presented higher densification and compressive strength rates than HA/DCPA. Clinical Relevance: Both biomaterials are promising as bone defect fillers. The HA/DCPA/TiO₂ has potential as a scaffold for bone to application in areas subject to load.