Comparative study of new bone formation capability of zirconia bone graft material in rabbit calvarial

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the new bone formation capability of zirconia with those of other synthetic bone grafts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve rabbits were used and four 6-mm diameter transcortical defects were formed on each calvaria. Each defect was filled with Osteon II (Os), Tigran PTG (Ti), and zirconia (Zi) bone grafts. For the control group, the defects were left unfilled. The rabbits were sacrificed at 2, 4, and 8 weeks. Specimens were analyzed through micro computed tomography (CT) and histomorphometric analysis. RESULTS: The Ti and Zi groups showed significant differences in the amount of newly formed bone between 2 and 4 weeks and between 2 and 8 weeks (P<.05). The measurements of total bone using micro CT showed significant differences between the Os and Ti groups and between the Os and Zi groups at 2 and 8 weeks (P<.05). Comparing by week in each group, the Ti group showed a significant difference between 4 and 8 weeks. Histomorphometric analysis also showed significant differences in new bone formation between the control group and the experimental groups at 2, 4, and 8 weeks (P<.05). In the comparison of newly formed bone, significant differences were observed between 2 and 4 weeks and between 2 and 8 weeks (P<.05) in all groups. CONCLUSION: Zirconia bone graft material showed satisfactory results in new bone formation and zirconia could be used as a new synthetic bone graft material.