Healing of mandibular critical size bone defects in rats using piezoelectric plates: An In-vivo Study

INTRODUCCTION: "Smart materials" have been introduced as a new concept in bone tissue engineering to improve tissue regeneration and overcome the shortcomings of bone grafts, such as material-related infections, and mechanical failures. Piezoelectric scaffolds are a type of smart material introduced for various biomedical uses such as repair and regeneration of bone tissue. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of piezoelectric plates in the regeneration of bone and healing of the segmental bone defect in the rat mandible in order to compare their effect with titanium plates. Materials and Methods: Forty eight rats weighing 275±30 grams were divided into 2 groups: group I; (titanium group), group II; (PVDF poly(vinylidene fluoride) group). Surgical procedures to place the plates were performed in both groups. After first week twenty four of the rats were euthanized and after eight weeks twenty four the rest of rats were euthanized the mandibles were dissected out and prepared for radiographic examination, light microscopic examination and histomorphometry. RESULTS: Radiographic results showed radio-opacity in the site of the bone defect in both groups Histological results revealed new bone trabeculae in the both groups, however, bone was more dense and mature in the titanium groups. The histomorphometric analysis also showed substantially higher percentage of new bone per field in the titanium groups. CONCLUSIONS: piezoelectric plates could enhance bone healing and be used as a mean of achieving good fixation but still the results were inferior to the results of titanium plates.