Abstract

“Autologous bone graft remains the ‘gold standard’ grafting substrate available in bone fusions for small gaps and in critical defects. However, significant morbidity is associated with the harvesting of autologous bone graft and alternative bone graft substitutes have been developed. In the present pre-clinical study, a synthetic bone graft called Bonelike® (BL®) was tested. BL® is a glass-reinforced hydroxyapatite composite with osteoinductive and osteoconductive proprieties. These proprieties of BL® have been confirmed in experimental models of bone regeneration in sheep and recently its application in orthopedic and stomatological pathologies is being tested in small animal (SA) clinics. In the present study, we have been also studying the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from the dental pulp (DPSCs) which were characterized in vitro and expanded for in vivo application. The osteogenic potential of DPS Cs associated to a modified hydroxyapatite bone substitute was further evaluated in vivo in a monocortical ovine model.”