Evaluation of Bone Regeneration of Apatite Coating Poly-L-lactide Scaffold in Rat Calvarial Defects

133 Introduction Cleft lip and palate is a frequently occurring congenital malformation that is caused by genetic and environmental factors [1, 2]. Loss of alveolar bone due to the cleft can lead to problems with feeding and speech, among other difficulties; therefore, surgical closure is strongly recommended [3, 4]. Autogenous bone grafting for patients with cleft lip and palate has become a well-accepted treatment modality to restore the function and structure of the maxillary arch at the cleft site [5, 6]. However, the procedure is very invasive and the amount of collectable bone is limited. Allogeneic bone grafts may transmit diseases and can cause immune-related complications. It is therefore necessary to develop a synthetic alternative to current graft materials for bone regeneration [7]. In recent years, poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) has been widely evaluated as a scaffold biomaterial because of its impressive biocompatibility, biodegradability, minimal inflammatory reaction, and excellent mechanical properties [8]. However, PLLA is known to show poor cell–material interaction because of its hydrophobic nature and lack of cell recognition signals [9]. In order to promote cell adhesion, surface modification of PLLA is often attempted [9]. Evaluation of Bone Regeneration of Apatite Coating Poly-L-lactide Scaffold in Rat Calvarial Defects