A New Graft Material for Mandibular Bone Defect Repair Using Regenerative Bone from Periosteum

The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of regenerative bone from periosteum as a new graft material for the repair of bone defects. Regenerative bone at 1, 4, and 8 weeks (RB1, RB4 and RB8) was harvested from the fibular periosteum of donor rats as graft materials. These regenerative bones were transplanted into the mandibular bone defects of recipient rats in the experimental groups (RB1, RB4 and RB8 groups). Normal fibulas (NF), which were harvested from donor rats, were transplanted in the control groups (NF groups). Immediately, 2, and 4 weeks after transplantation, radiological and histological findings were evaluated. Bone healing was observed in all groups. In particular, the height and width ratios in the RB1 groups were significantly higher than those in the NF groups, and RB1 resisted resorption as compared with the other bone grafts. The bone mineral density in the RB1 groups was significantly less than that in the NF groups. These results indicate that regenerative bone from periosteum is a useful reconstructive material. The properties of regenerative bone after transplantation differ depending on the timing of regeneration.