The Effects of Regenerative Materials on Biomarkers, Clinical and Radiological Features of Healing Defects Treated by Guided Bone Regeneration

Background: Guided Bone regeneration (GBR) has gained popularity in clinical dental practice. However, there is limited number of studies regarding the molecular and physical effects of bone regeneration materials (BRMs) on healing bone defects, which is essential for optimum clinical outcome. Methods and Findings: About 24 standard alveolar bone defects in six male beagle dogs were treated by GBR using either Bio Oss® or beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) (experimental) whereas the control defects were left empty. The concentration of osteoprotegerin (OPG), vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were examined by immunoassay, while the computed tomography (CT) scan images were used to assess the bone density and alveolar bone height. The clinical features assessment showed no significant difference between BRMs. However, the OPG concentration registered on 3rd day was significantly higher for β-TCP than Control group. The VEGF concentration on 7th day was significantly lower for Bio Oss than Control and β-TCP. The experiment group had significantly higher MMP-2 concentration than Control on the 10th day. There was significant increase on bone density for the experiment groups compared to control at one month with higher bone height at one and two months post-operatively (PE‚0.05). Conclusion: The type of BRM had fundamental effects on the pattern of healing makers (OPG, VEGF and MMP-2) concentration in GCF at some-point during healing time. Furthermore, the experimental groups had enhanced bone density one-month post-operative with more bone height gain at one and two month’s post-operative.