With successful extraction of growth factors and bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) from mammalian teeth, many researchers have supported development of a bone substitute using tooth-derived substances. Some studies have also expanded the potential use of teeth as a carrier for growth factors and stem cells. A broad overview of the published findings with regard to tooth-derived regenerative tissue engineering technique is outlined. Considering more than 100 published papers, our team has developed the protocols and techniques for processing of bone graft material using extracted teeth. Based on current studies and studies that will be needed in the future, we can anticipate development of scaffolds, homogenous and xenogenous tooth bone grafts, and dental restorative materials using extracted teeth.

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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the DDM as a carrier of recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2). In the study 1, the rhBMP-2 was fixed to inorganic bovine bones, tricalcium phosphate (TCP), DDM powder, and DDM chip. Over a period of 36 days, the amount of rhBMP-2 released was analyzed. In the study 2, the expression of protein markers by rhBMP-2 combined with DDM was evaluated in mice at 1, 2 and 4 weeks. In the control group (n=20 mice), 20 μg grafts of TCP+rhBMP-2 (concentration=0.05 mg/ml) were applied, while in the experimental group (n=20 mice), 20 μg grafts of DDM powder+rhBMP-2 (concentration=0.05 mg/ml) were applied. In the study 1, the slow release of rhBMP-2 was exhibited by all four graft types throughout the 36-day, a statistically significant large amount of rhBMP-2 was released from the DDM powder compared to the other materials (p<0.05). In the study 2, the expression of osteonectin was found to be limited to adjacent areas of TCP in the control group, however, it was observed in the DDM in the experimental group. The experimental group exhibited significant mature bone formation in the 4th week, but not in the 1st week of the experiment. Within limited research in this study DDM powder appears to have great potential as an effective scaffold for rhBMP-2. In the DDM powder+rhBMP-2, new bone formation was evidently shown and the amount of released rhBMP-2 was the highest. It was proposed that DDM powder might be an effective carrier of rhBMP-2.

ObjectivesBisphosphonates (BP) are widely used in medicine for inhibiting bone resorption; however bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a major side effect of BP. To date, there have been no specific reports on the incidence of BRONJ among Koreans. This study investigated the preliminary results from a nationwide survey of BRONJ in the Departments of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) at individual training hospitals.Materials and MethodsA total of 15 OMFS departments (10 from dental schools, 4 from medical schools, and 1 from a dental hospital) participated in a multi-centric survey. This study assessed every BRONJ case diagnosed between January 2010 and December 2010. The patient age and BP type were evaluated.ResultsA total of 254 BRONJ cases were collected. The majority of BRONJ cases were associated with oral BP therapy, while 21.8% of the cases were associated with intravenous administration. Alendronate was the drug most frequently related to BRONJ (59.2% of cases), followed by risedronate (14.3%) and zolendronate (17.0%). The average age of BRONJ patients was 70.0±10.1 years, with a range of 38-88 years of age. With the number of BP patients in Korea reported to be around 600,000 in 2008, the estimated incidence of BRONJ is at least 0.04% or 1 per 2,300 BP patients.ConclusionThe results suggest that the estimated incidence of BRONJ in Korea is higher than the incidence of other countries. Future prospective studies should be carried out to investigate the exact epidemiological characteristics of BRONJ in Korea.

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