Vertical alveolar ridge augmentation with β-tricalcium phosphate and autologous osteoblasts in canine mandible

A tissue-engineered bone has become a viable alternative to autologous bone for bone augmentation in atrophy alveolar ridge. The aim of the present study was to evaluate porous β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) combined with autologous osteoblasts to augment edentulous alveolar ridge in a canine model. Autologous osteoblasts were expanded and combined with β-TCP scaffold to fabricate a tissue-engineered bone. 12 bilateral alveolar ridge augmentation surgeries were carried out in 6 beagle dogs with the following 3 groups: β-TCP/osteoblasts, β-TCP alone and autogenous iliac bone control (n = 4 per group). Sequential fluorescent labeling and radiographs were used to compare new bone formation and mineralization in each group. 24 weeks later, animals were sacrificed and non-decalcified and decalcified sections were evaluated histologically and histomorphometrically. Results indicated that the tissue-engineered bone dramatically enhanced new bone formation and mineralization, increase the new bone area, and maintain the height and thickness of the augmented alveolar ridge when compared with β-TCP alone group. More importantly, the tissue-engineered bone achieved an elevated bone height and thickness comparable to that of autogenous iliac bone graft. This study demonstrated the potential of porous β-TCP as a substrate for autogenous osteoblasts in bone tissue engineering for alveolar ridge augmentation.