Osteogenesis by Bone Marrow Cells in a Novel Hybrid Alginate/calcium Phosphate Sponge Scaffold

Abstract

113 INTRODUCTION Porous hydroxyapatite has been used as a scaffold for the regeneration of alveolar bone, tooth root and dentin-pulp complex. The hydroxyapatite is appropriate as a scaffold for the regeneration of hard tissue because its hardness is thought to be similar to that of dentine. However, the hardness of hydroxyapatite is disadvantageous as a scaffold. Hydroxyapatite is too hard to modify its shape. It may be desirable in dental clinics that the scaffold would be easily adjusted to a tooth defect. Sodium alginate (AL) gel has been used as a scaffold for osteogenesis by the three-dimensional culture of stem cells. A sponge-like porous scaffold prepared from AL gel was also used for regeneration of bone or hard tissue. The AL gel has excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. The sponge-like porous material prepared from the gel is inferior in physical strength to hydroxyapatite. Therefore, a sponge-like scaffold prepared from AL gel would be shaped easily. AL gel might be suitable for the preparation of sponge-like porous materials as a scaffold for the regeneration of defective dentine. Osteogenesis by Bone Marrow Cells in a Novel Hybrid Alginate/calcium Phosphate Sponge Scaffold