Efficacy of MimetikOss 3D printed scaffolds in regenerating bone in mandibular bone defect in rats

Bone defects are of significant concern due to the increase in the median age of our population. Traditionally, bone autografts have been used to restore damaged bone. This requires a second surgical site with the possibility of complications. In bone tissue engineering, which is an alternative approach for the treatment of bone defects, one possible approach is to utilize biomaterial scaffolds that provide mechanical integrity and/or act as a carrier vehicle to deliver cells or growth factors. Our aim is to evaluate the efficacy of the newly developed MimetikOss 3D printed scaffolds in regenerating bone using calvarial bone defect model in rats. The material from which this scaffold is made is very similar in composition (calcium deficient hydroxyapatite) and in geometry (nanocrystals) to the composition of the mineral phase of human bone. Therefore, it has great potential in bone tissue engineering applications. Unfortunately, there are no possibilities to perform this evaluation in vitro, and animals must be utilized. The surgical procedure involves creating bone defects in the calvarium of the rat under general anesthesia. To minimize the number of animals, scaffolds will be implanted in 2 defects in each animal (one defect on each parietal bone), thereby reducing the number of animals required to perform statistical analysis by 50%. In total, 100 rats will be used divided into 3 time-points and 6 groups. The surgical procedure will be done under general anesthesia, and analgesics will be administered postoperatively. Eye cream will be administered during the surgery to avoid eye dryness. Two persons will always perform the implantation to minimize the time of the procedure