Biocompatibility and manageability of a new fixable bone graft for the treatment of localized bone defects: preliminary study in a dog model.

The present investigation was performed to compare the biocompatibility, safety, and manageability of a newly developed bone block and a deproteinized bovine bone block (Bio-Oss) for the treatment of localized bone defects in a dog model. Two male beagle dogs were used for this study. The mandibular premolars were extracted and two saddle-type defects were created bilaterally in the edentulous area. The defects were filled according to a randomized design with Bio-Oss bone block or with an equine hydroxyapatite plus collagen bone block (eHAC). Most control and test sites developed dehiscences during healing. After 4 weeks, the animals were euthanized and each hemimandible was prepared for histologic examination. No significant difference in terms of local tolerance was observed between test and control sites, and test and control sites showed similar histologic findings. However, a significant difference was noticed between the Bio-Oss block and the new bone block in terms of manageability.