Bone decortication rate and guided bone regeneration under an occlusive titanium dome: Micro-CT analysis

Abstract

Aim: We aimed to evaluate how the rate of bone decortication influences guided bone regeneration. Material and Methods: Twenty-four titanium domes were placed bilaterally on the parietal bones of sixteen New Zealand rabbits after drilling the bone with a small round burr to induce bleeding from the marrow space (Group A: one hole; Group B: three holes; Group C: nine holes), while the bone surface was left intact at the control sites (Control group). Each group included six samples. Bone decortication rates were approximately 4% in group A, 12% in group B, and 36% in group C. All rabbits were killed after a 12- week bone-healing period, and results were evaluated by micro-CT. Results: Both newly generated tissue formation and mineralized bone formation were higher in all experimental groups than in the control group (P < 0.05), increasing in proportion to the increasing number of holes to a peak in Group C. Conclusion: Bone decortication improves mineralized bone and newly regenerated augmented tissue during guided bone regeneration. Bone decortication can be used as an integral part of guided bone regeneration procedures. Also more bone decortication rate seems to be more effective.