Abstract
This study aimed to assess the use of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to follow-up bone healing of mandibular bone defects in dogs, filled with a combination of autologous blood and millimetric BCP granules. CBCT was performed ≥4 weeks postoperatively. CBCT gray-scale values were measured from multiplanar reconstructions of the defects and compared to that of normal contralateral mandibular bone and to pure BCP/blood composite time 0 (T0) value. Other parameters, determined by affecting grades according to specific criteria included: bone ridge margin restoration; biomaterial homogeneity; bone-biomaterial interface. Results: 8 dogs with 14 defects were included. Median age was 7.2 years (1-15 years). Follow-up CBCT was performed 1 to 7.5 months postoperatively (mean 3.3 months). Defect CBCT gray-scale values at follow-up were significantly greater than T0 (p < 0.05). Ratios of maximum and minimum densities of the defects to contralateral mandibular bone followed a linear correlation with time (p < 0.05). The bone ridge margin was adequately restored in all the defects and significantly correlated with time (p = 0.03). Biomaterial homogeneity was fair to good in 11 defects and significantly correlated with the bone ridge margin parameter (p = 0.05) and time (p = 0.006). There was no significant correlation with the bone-material interface. The latter was satisfactory in 12 defects and significantly correlated with time (p = 0.01) but not with the other parameters. The biomaterial was more homogeneous in smaller defects and with increasing time. CBCT allowed effective assessment of bone healing via the measurement of CBCT gray-scale values and assessment of multiple radiological variables.
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