Periodontal regeneration induced by porous alpha-tricalcium phosphate with immobilized basic fibroblast growth factor in a canine model of 2-wall periodontal defects

We evaluated the effect of porous alpha-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) with immobilized basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on periodontal regeneration in a canine model of 2-wall periodontal defects. Identical bone defects were made in the canine mandible; six defects in each animal were filled with porous α-TCP with bFGF bound via heparin (bFGF group), and the remaining defects were filled with unmodified porous α-TCP (control group). Micro-computed tomography and histological evaluation were performed at 2, 4, and 8 weeks post-implantation. The bone mineral content of the bFGF group was higher than that of the control group at 2 and 4 weeks ( p < 0.05). Histological evaluation at 2 weeks post-implantation revealed degradation of the porous α-TCP, and bone had formed on the surface of α-TCP particles in the bFGF group. Some of these collagen fibers connected the newly formed cementum with the alveolar bone, revealing the formation of new periodontal ligaments with Sharpey’s fibers. At 8 weeks, continuous cortical bone with a Haversian structure covered the top of the bone defects in the bFGF group. These findings indicate that porous α-TCP with immobilized bFGF could promote periodontal regeneration at the early regeneration phase in a canine model of 2-wall periodontal defects.