Effect on bone healing of bone morphogenetic protein placed in combinationwith endosseous implants: A pilot study in beagle dogs

Although dental implants have become an effective treatment modality for th e replacement of missing teeth, their predictability relies on successful o sseointegration during the healing period. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein- 2 (rhBMP-2) on early bone formation within the perforations of dental impla nts in beagle dogs. Histologic sections were evaluated for the extent of ne w bone formation within a 1-mm diameter of through-and-through perforations . Data indicated that significantly more bone formation occurred with rhBMP -2-treated sites within the implant perforation (P < 0.01) compared to site s treated with the vehicle alone. This pilot study indicates that rhBMP-2 i ncreases the rate and extent of bone formation in combination with dental i mplants.