title: Alpha-tricalcium phosphate cement in the reconstruction of bone defects in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the ability of a mixture of α-TCP and autogenous bone (AB) vs. α-TCP alone and AB alone to promote new bone formation and tissue repair in bone defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bone defects surgically created in 15 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Group I (AB), Group II (α-TCP), Group III (α-TCP+AB assessed by light microscopy), and Group IV (α-TCP+AB assessed by scanning electron microscopy). Bone repair findings were assessed at 30, 60, and 120 days postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The histological findings obtained in Groups I (p=0.459), II (p=0.368), and III (p=0.459) and at 30 days (p=0.717), 60 days (p=0.717), and 120 days (p=0.779) did not show statistically significant differences. Scanning electron microscopy revealed direct contact between the α-TCP+AB implant and the bone tissue at 120 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The α-TCP implant is effective alternative bone substitutes for the treatment of critical size bone defects.
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, ULBRA, Canoas, RS, Brazil.
authors: João Gabriel Souza
authors: JG
authors: Pinto
authors: Bruno Tochetto
authors: BT
authors: Primo
authors: Humberto Thomazi
authors: HT
authors: Gassen
authors: Sérgio Augusto Quevedo
authors: SA
authors: Miguens Júnior
authors: Pedro Antonio González
authors: PA
authors: Hernández
authors: Luis Alberto dos
authors: LA
authors: Santos
authors: Aurelício Novaes
authors: AN
authors: Silva Júnior
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001843:Bone Cements / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001843:Bone Cements; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; C485828:alpha-tricalcium phosphate