Guided bone tissue elaboration by osteogenic cells in vitro.

Primary rat bone marrow cells were cultured for 2 weeks in polystyrene dishes whose surfaces had been roughened using 600- or 320-grit silicon carbide paper. Eight samples were prepared of each of the three groups of dishes, to include a nontreated control surface. Following the culture period, the dishes were stained by von Kossa's method. The distribution of bone formed during the culture period was examined by light microscopy and the area of bone formed quantified. Results demonstrated that both the amount and spatial distribution of bone were influenced by the roughness of the underlying substratum. Differences between the smooth and roughened surfaces were statistically different at P < .05.