Effect of a Rapidly Resorbable Calcium Alkali Phosphate Bone Grafting Material on Osteogenesis after Sinus Floor Augmentation in Humans
Sinus floor augmentation (SFA) has become a well-established pre-implantology procedure for alveolar ridge augmentation of the posterior maxilla. Using bioceramic bone substitutes avoids second-site surgery for autograft harvesting. Compared to the bone substitutes which are currently clinically available, there is a significant need for bone substitutes which degrade more rapidly, but still stimulate osteogenesis at the same time. This has led to the development of bioactive, rapidly resorbable calcium alkali orthophosphate (CAOP) materials, which have a greater solubility than tricalcium phosphate. In this study the biodegradability and effect of a silica containing CAOP (Si-CAOP) on osteogenesis was evaluated in human biopsies sampled 6 months after SFA and compared to that of TCP utilizing hard tissue histology, histomorphometry and immunohistochemical analysis of osteogenic marker expression. Both materials facilitated bone formation and matrix mineralization, which were still actively progressing from the sinus floor in an apical direction 6 months after SFA. With the Si-CAOP grafting material however, bone formation, the bone-biomaterial-contact, i.e. bone-bonding, and particle degradation were significantly greater compared to TCP in the apical region of the biopsies, i.e. at the largest distance from the native bone of the sinus floor. This was accompanied by greater expression of Col I, BSP and OC in the newly formed bone tissue in the Si-CAP samples compared to TCP. Six months after implantation Si-CAOP facilitated greater bone formation and biodegradability than the TCP graft material, whose excellent osteoconductive properties have been widely documented. Consequently, Si-CAOP can be regarded as excellent grafting material for SFA in a clinical setting.