Preclinical animal model for de novo bone formation in human maxillary sinus

Objectives Up to now the effect of bone-substitute materials on de novo bone formation has been tested in a variety of preclinical animal models. We hypothesized that there is no significant difference in bone regeneration after application of autogenous bone (AB) and bone substitutes in a porcine calvarial monocortical defect model and in human maxillary sinus. Study design Twenty-four weeks after application of s-tricalcium phosphate (βTCP), hydroxyapatite (HA), and AB in each of 3 defects on the sculls of 6 adult pigs (N = 54) and the application in 44 sinus floor elevations (11× βTCP, 6× HA and 24× AB) in 41 patients, bone regeneration rates where compared microradiographically. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for statistical analysis. Results Comparing the human with the animal specimens microradiographically, no significant difference of the mineralization rate could be found. Conclusion The chosen porcine model is a valuable method for preclinical testing of bone-substitute materials in maxillofacial surgery.