Natural bioceramics: our experience with changing perspectives in the reconstruction of maxillofacial skeleton

OBJECTIVES: Various bone graft substitute materials are used to enhance bone regeneration in the maxillofacial skeleton. In the recent past, synthetic graft materials have been produced using various synthetic and natural calcium precursors. Very recently, eggshell-derived hydroxyapatite (EHA) has been evaluated as a synthetic bone graft substitute. To assess bone regeneration using EHA in cystic and/or apicectomy defects of the jaws through clinical and radiographic evaluations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 patients were enrolled in the study protocol (CTRI/2014/12/005340) and were followed up at 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks to assess the amount of osseous fill through digital radiographs/cone-beam computed tomography along with clinical parameters and complications. Wilcoxon matched pairs test, means, percentages and standard deviations were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The sizes of the lesions in the study ranged from 1 to 4 cm and involved one to four teeth. The study showed significant changes in the formation of bone, the merging of material and the surgical site margins from the first week to the first month in all patients (age range, 15-50 years) irrespective of the size of the lesions and the number of teeth involved. Bone formation was statistically significant from the fourth to the eighth week, and the trabecular pattern was observed by the end of 12 weeks with uneventful wound healing. CONCLUSION: EHA showed enhancement of bone regeneration, and healing was complete by the end of 12 weeks with a trabecular pattern in all patients irrespective of the size of the lesion involved. The study showed enhancement of bone regeneration in the early bone formative stage within 12 weeks after grafting. EHA is cost effective and production is environment friendly with no disease transfer risks. Thus, natural bioceramics will play an important role in the reduction of costs involved in grafting and reconstruction.

Socket preservation using eggshell-derived nanohydroxyapatite with platelet-rich fibrin as a barrier membrane: a new technique

OBJECTIVES: Socket grafting is vital to prevent bone resorption after tooth extraction. Several techniques to prevent resorption have been described, and various bone graft substitutes have been developed and used with varying success. We conducted this pilot study to evaluate the performance of nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) derived from chicken eggshells in socket preservation.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, single center, outcome assessor-blinded evaluation of 23 sockets (11 patients) grafted with nHA and covered with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membrane as a barrier. Bone width and radiographic bone density were measured using digital radiographs at 1, 12, and 24 weeks post-procedure. Postoperative histomorphometric and micro-computed tomography (CT) evaluation were performed. The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee.RESULTS: All patients had uneventful wound healing without graft material displacement or leaching despite partial exposure of the grafted socket. Tissuere-epithelialized with thick gingival biotype (>3 mm). Width of the bone was maintained and radiographic density increased significantly with a trabecular pattern (73.91% of sockets) within 12 weeks. Histomorphometric analysis showed 56.52% Grade 3 bone formation and micro-CT analysis revealed newly formed bone with interconnecting trabeculae.CONCLUSION: Use of a PRF membrane with nHA resulted in good bone regeneration in sockets. Use of a PRF membrane prevents periosteal-releasing incisions for primary closure, thereby facilitating the preservation of keratinized mucosa and gingival architecture. This technique, which uses eggshell-derived nHA and PRF membrane from the patient's own blood, is innovative and is free of disease transfer risks. nHA is a promising economic bone graft substitute for bone regeneration and reconstruction because of the abundant availability of eggshell waste as a raw material.

Natural bioceramics: our experience with changing perspectives in the reconstruction of maxillofacial skeleton

OBJECTIVES@#Various bone graft substitute materials are used to enhance bone regeneration in the maxillofacial skeleton. In the recent past, synthetic graft materials have been produced using various synthetic and natural calcium precursors. Very recently, eggshell-derived hydroxyapatite (EHA) has been evaluated as a synthetic bone graft substitute. To assess bone regeneration using EHA in cystic and/or apicectomy defects of the jaws through clinical and radiographic evaluations.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#A total of 20 patients were enrolled in the study protocol (CTRI/2014/12/005340) and were followed up at 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks to assess the amount of osseous fill through digital radiographs/cone-beam computed tomography along with clinical parameters and complications. Wilcoxon matched pairs test, means, percentages and standard deviations were used for the statistical analysis.@*RESULTS@#The sizes of the lesions in the study ranged from 1 to 4 cm and involved one to four teeth. The study showed significant changes in the formation of bone, the merging of material and the surgical site margins from the first week to the first month in all patients (age range, 15-50 years) irrespective of the size of the lesions and the number of teeth involved. Bone formation was statistically significant from the fourth to the eighth week, and the trabecular pattern was observed by the end of 12 weeks with uneventful wound healing.@*CONCLUSION@#EHA showed enhancement of bone regeneration, and healing was complete by the end of 12 weeks with a trabecular pattern in all patients irrespective of the size of the lesion involved. The study showed enhancement of bone regeneration in the early bone formative stage within 12 weeks after grafting. EHA is cost effective and production is environment friendly with no disease transfer risks. Thus, natural bioceramics will play an important role in the reduction of costs involved in grafting and reconstruction.

Socket preservation using eggshell-derived nanohydroxyapatite with platelet-rich fibrin as a barrier membrane: a new technique

OBJECTIVES@#Socket grafting is vital to prevent bone resorption after tooth extraction. Several techniques to prevent resorption have been described, and various bone graft substitutes have been developed and used with varying success. We conducted this pilot study to evaluate the performance of nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) derived from chicken eggshells in socket preservation.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#This was a prospective, single center, outcome assessor-blinded evaluation of 23 sockets (11 patients) grafted with nHA and covered with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membrane as a barrier. Bone width and radiographic bone density were measured using digital radiographs at 1, 12, and 24 weeks post-procedure. Postoperative histomorphometric and micro-computed tomography (CT) evaluation were performed. The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee.@*RESULTS@#All patients had uneventful wound healing without graft material displacement or leaching despite partial exposure of the grafted socket. Tissuere-epithelialized with thick gingival biotype (>3 mm). Width of the bone was maintained and radiographic density increased significantly with a trabecular pattern (73.91% of sockets) within 12 weeks. Histomorphometric analysis showed 56.52% Grade 3 bone formation and micro-CT analysis revealed newly formed bone with interconnecting trabeculae.@*CONCLUSION@#Use of a PRF membrane with nHA resulted in good bone regeneration in sockets. Use of a PRF membrane prevents periosteal-releasing incisions for primary closure, thereby facilitating the preservation of keratinized mucosa and gingival architecture. This technique, which uses eggshell-derived nHA and PRF membrane from the patient's own blood, is innovative and is free of disease transfer risks. nHA is a promising economic bone graft substitute for bone regeneration and reconstruction because of the abundant availability of eggshell waste as a raw material.