beta-Tricalcium phosphate-silica aerogel as an alternative bioactive ceramic for the potential use in dentistry

In this study, a mesoporous silica-aerogel with beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP-AE) was manufactured. The effect of beta-TCP-AE on gene expressions (BMP2, BMP7, Runx2 and OSX) of SAOS-2 cells was tested. For the in vivo evaluation, the 'calvaria critical-size defect' model was used: following one and three months of the artificial surgical bone defects filled with beta-TCP-AE, histopathological analyses were performed. Gene expression studies demonstrated a mild osteoblastic differentiation of the SAOS-2 cells triggered after seven days of beta-TCP-AE-treatment. Digital histology of rat's calvarial bone defects reconstructed with beta-TCP-AE showed that after one month, calcifications and early ossifications developed with the presence of capillary-rich fibrose inflammation and remnants of exogenous compounds which nearly dissappeared by the third month, and replaced with multiple newly formed bone islets mediated by osteoblasts. Based on our results this bioceramic compound appears to have favourable properties for the use as a scaffold in the reconstructive medical practice.