The effect of a fibrin glue on the integration of Bio-Oss® with bone tissue -: An experimental study in labrador dogs

Background: Bio-Oss(R) is a deproteinized bovine mineral used in bone augmentation procedures. The particles are often mixed with a protein product (Tisseel(R)) to form a mouldable graft material. Aim: The aim of the present experiment was to study the healing of self-contained bone defects after the placement of Bio-Oss(R) particles alone or mixed with Tisseel(R) in cylindrical defects in the edentulous mandibular ridge of dogs. Material and methods: In 4 labrador dogs, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th mandibular premolars were extracted bilaterally. 3 months later, 3 cylindrical bone defects, 4 mm in diameter and 8 mm in depth, were produced in the right side of the mandible. Following a crestal incision, full thickness flaps were raised and the bone defects were prepared with a trephine drill. The defects were filled with Bio-Oss(R) (Geistlich Biomaterials, Wolhuser, Switzerland) particles alone or mixed with Tisseel(R) (Immuno AG, Vienna, Austria), or left "untreated". A collagen membrane (Bio-Gide(R), Geistlich Biomaterials, Wolhuser, Switzerland) was placed to cover all defects and the flaps were sutured. 2 months later, the defect preparation and grafting procedures were repeated in the left side of the mandible. After another month, the animals were sacrificed and biopsies obtained from the defect sites. Results: Bio-Oss(R)-treated defects revealed a higher percentage of contact between graft particles and bone tissue than defects treated with Bio-Oss(R) + Tisseel(R) (15% and 30% at 1 and 3 months versus 0.4% and 8%, respectively). Further, the volume of connective tissue in the Bio-Oss(R) treated defects decreased from the I to the 3 month interval (from 44% to 30%). This soft tissue was replaced with newly formed bone. In the Bio-Oss(R) + Tisseel(R) treated defects, however, the proportion of connective tissue remained unchanged between 1 and 3 months. Conclusion: The adjunct of Tisseel(R) may jeopardize the integration of Bio-Oss(R) particles with bone tissue.