ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The osseointegration around titanium mini-implants installed in macroporous biphasic calcium phosphate (MBCP) blocks was evaluated after incubation with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in an ectopic subcutaneous rat model. METHODS: Mini-implants (phi1.8x12 mm) were installed in MBCP blocks (bMBCPs, 4x5x15 mm) loaded with rhBMP-2 at 0.1 mg/mL, and then implanted for 8 weeks into subcutaneous pockets of male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=10). A histomorphometric analysis was performed, and the bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and bone density were evaluated. RESULTS: Significant osteoinductive activity was induced in the rhBMP-2/bMBCP group. The percentage of BIC was 41.23+/-4.13% (mean+/-standard deviation), while bone density was 33.47+/-5.73%. In contrast, no bone formation was observed in the bMBCP only group. CONCLUSIONS: This model represents a more standardized tool for analyzing osseointegration and bone healing along the implant surface and in bMBCPs that excludes various healing factors derived from selected animals and defect models.