Bone augmentation with a prototype coral exoskeleton-derived bone replacement material applied to experimental one-wall infrabony defects created in alveolar bone.

Bone regeneration requires cells, growth factors, and scaffolds that should have biocompatibility, porosity, and physical strength. Therefore, coral granules (CG) with diameters of 600-1,000 µm were prepared as a potential graft material from cultured edaphic thermostable corals. X-ray and electron microscopy characterization revealed that CGs were porous and permeable with lumen diameters of approximately 200 µm. Human periodontal ligament fibroblasts showed significantly increased mitochondrial activity in culture seven days after adding CG. After CG filling into an experimentally created one-wall infrabony defect in a beagle dog jawbone, the defect almost completely disappeared within approximately 8 weeks, and bone tissue growth was observed in the replacement area. This could indicate extremely rapid healing of a bone defect previously considered incapable of self-healing. Based on stable supply of cultured coral (Montipora digitata), CG is potentially an ideal replacement material for alveolar and jawbone defects.