Comparison of osteoconductive properties of three different β-tricalcium phosphate graft materials: A pilot histomorphometric study in a pig model

AimsThe aim of this study was to compare the de novo bone formation ability and osteoconductive effects of three different β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) graft materials. The micro-architectural parameters of the newly formed bone tissues were also compared among the different graft materials.Material and methodsEight male Swiss domestic pigs were used in the study. Five bony defects were made with a trephine bur. Three of the defects were filled with Cerasorb®, Kasios® and Poresorb®. The fourth defect was filled with an autogenous bone graft. The last defect remained empty. All subjects were sacrificed after 8 weeks.ResultsWhen compared to a negative control group, significant healing was observed in all the groups except the Cerasorb group. The osteoconductivity of the Poresorb group was better than that of the other groups (p < 0.05). The difference in the osteoconductivity of the Kasios and Cerasorb groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Comparison of the micro-architectural properties of newly formed bone tissues retrieved from the defects showed that those filled with Poresorb were the best.Conclusionβ-TCP materials show different results in terms of the volume and characteristics of new bone formation, although they have a similar chemical structure.