Induced osteogenesis for repair and construction in the craniofacial region.

Solid and powdered forms of undemineralized and demineralized bone grafts were implanted in rat cranial defects. Demineralized calvarial discs healed the defects as well as did the fresh discs, as judged by histology and 45Ca incorporation. Gross and histologic evaluations demonstrated predictable endochondrial osteogenesis by demineralized bone powder (DBP). Undemineralized grafts, in contrast, showed poor and unpredictable bony healing. Construction of facial bones was achieved by implantation of demineralized bone powder within the soft tissues. The phenomenon of induced osteogenesis by demineralized implants was not species specific. These studies of osseous transformation provide insight into the mechanism of, and possible answers to, the problems of osseous transplantation.