Plaster of paris as an alloplastic implant in the frontal sinus.

The use of calcium sulfate (plaster of Paris) has been advocated to repair bony defects because of its unique capability of stimulating osteoneogenesis. Plaster of Paris can be used as a bony alloplast, and it can be analyzed histologically. Sinus roentgenograms and technetium Tc 99m medronate bone scanning further support the use of plaster of Paris as an alloplast and assess its osteoneogenic capacity when implanted in the frontal sinus of dogs; complete bone regeneration was demonstrated in six dogs within four to six months. The use of plaster of Paris for bone reconstruction in the head and neck can be applied in surgery. The experience with plaster of Paris to date, although limited, shows it to be safe and highly encouraging as an effective bone allograft.