Alloplastic Graft vs Bovine Xenograft in Bone Regeneration: An Experimental Study in Rabbits

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of locally applied deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) in bone defect regeneration using micro-CT and histological examinations in rabbit models. Eight healthy New Zealand White rabbits were used. Circular defects (3 mm in diameter) were created in three areas of the tibia. One of the defects was selected as a control group, without biomaterial, while in separate experimental groups, DBBM and β-TCP were applied to the defect sites. Bone re-generation was analyzed by micro-CT and histological evaluation after euthanasia. Statis-tical analysis assessed the significance of the observed differences. In all New Zealand White rabbits, the treated areas healed well after surgery. Micro-CT analysis revealed sig-nificant differences between the groups in bone volume (%) and biomaterials (%) (p < 0.05). Both the DBBM group and the β-TCP group showed superior bone parameters compared to the control group, with higher values in β-TCP group. Histological examina-tion indicated advanced stages of bone regeneration in all groups, suggesting that both DBBM and β-TCP contribute to bone regeneration, with better results for β-TCP. The study concludes that both bone substitutes (DBBM and β-TCP) promote bone regeneration, alt-hough β-TCP shows greater efficacy, which is of interest for its clinical use in oral surgery and oral implantology.