Bioactive glass particles of narrow size range for the treatment of oral bone defects: a 1-24 month experiment with several materials and particle sizes and size ranges.

The aim of this study was to evaluate bone growth around bioactive glass particles in bone defects in comparison to hydroxylapatite particles. The bioactive glass particles were implanted in the partial edentulous jaws of Beagle dogs in two different compositions and several sizes and size ranges. After 1, 2, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months the samples were harvested and processed for undecalcified sectioning. Histological analysis showed a superior response of the bioactive glass particles of composition A and narrow size range (300-355 microns). Besides extensive osteoconductive properties, the bone repair was also stimulated by bone growth in the internally eroded particles. The data demonstrate conclusively that the well known corrosion reactions of the bioactive glass lead to the formation of protective pouches. In these protective pouches formation of new bone is detected without this bone being connected to the bone tissue outside the particles. These islands of newly formed bone tissue function as nuclei for further bone growth and enhance the repair of the defect.