Date of Award
Summer 2010
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Dentistry
First Advisor
Toth, Jeffrey M.
Second Advisor
Berzins, David
Third Advisor
Wang, Mei
Abstract
Objective: Osteoinductive recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP–2) was delivered on an absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) within a novel titanium screw implant in an IACUC approved non–osteoporotic ovine spine model. Biomechanical pull–out strength, undecalcified histology, microradiography, and quantitative histomorphometry were used to assess effects of augmentation with rhBMP–2 on the holding power and peri–implant bone formation.
Methodology: rhBMP–2 (0.43 mg/ml) soaked ACS was placed within and around cannulated and fenestrated titanium pedicle screw implants. Sixty–four implants were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups (n=16 each). Biomechanical pull–out testing was done on half of the screws (n=32) to determine the pull–out strength, stiffness, and energy to failure. For histology, half of the implants were sectioned perpendicular to the long axis (axial), and the other half were sectioned parallel to long axis (longitudinal). Differential staining, microradiography and histomorphometry were performed. Data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA (p=0.05) and Bonferroni/Dunn pair–wise comparisons (p=0.0083).
Findings: Pull–out test: Empty 6 weeks group demonstrated the highest pull–out strength (3718N) compared to rhBMP–2/ACS 12 weeks (2330N, de novo osteopenic bone as far as 8–10 mm away from the screw.
Conclusions: rhBMP–2 did not significantly improve the biomechanical pull–out properties (stiffness, strength, and energy) of the titanium implant. 12 weeks rhBMP–/ACS specimens had improved biomechanical pull–out strength and stiffness compared to 6 weeks rhBMP–2/ACS specimens. rhBMP–2 application was associated with early transient bone resorption, de novo florid osteopenic bone, and statistically significant bone density differences at the 6 weeks period. These were replaced by remodeled bone at the 12 weeks time period.