Bone augmentation in rat by highly porous β-TCP scaffolds with different open-cell sizes in combination with fibroblast growth factor-2

172 INTRODUCTION In tissue engineering therapy, proliferation and migration of regenerated cells should be facilitated to reform functional tissue following surgical treatment. For this objective, three-dimensional scaffolds, an important element of tissue engineering, are being extensively studied for application in regenerative procedures. Bioceramic materials have mechanical, biocompatible and osteoconductive properties for use as scaffolds in various artificially synthesized types and forms, e.g., bioactive glass , hydroxyapatite (HA) 2, , tricalcium phosphate (TCP) 3, 4 and composites 5, . β-TCP presents a greater biodegradable effect in comparison with HA . The β-TCP scaffold in combination with growth factors has been shown to Bone Augmentation in Rat by Highly Porous β-TCP Scaffolds with Different Open-cell Sizes in Combination with Fibroblast Growth Factor-2