Induction of heterotopic bone formation by demineralized dentin: an experimental model in guinea pigs

The present investigation was carried out to establish an experimental model for the induction of heterotopic bone formation by demineralized dentin in guinea pigs. A total of 168 samples of allogenic dentin treated in different ways, as well as eight samples of striated muscle and eight samples of achilles tendon, were implanted in the abdominal muscles or subcutaneously in 43 male guinea pigs. Eight sham operations were also performed. The data indicated that allogenic dentin demineralized in 0.2 N HCl at 4°C for 48 h, lyophilized and sterilized in ethylene oxide gas, consistently induced heterotopic bone formation in about 70% when placed subcutaneously or in a pouch in the abdominal muscles of young male guinea pigs. Neither HCl‐treated muscles and tendon nor sham operations gave any new bone formation.