the role of fabricated coral shell powder in the healing of mandibular bone gap in dogs

Background: the reconstruction of mandibular bone defects poses a real challenge and difficulty for surgeons; biomaterial bone substitutes are the most used material for reconstructing mandibular bone defects. objectives: this study explored the role of fabricated hydroxyapatite (hap) powder from the coral shell in healing critical size mandible gaps in dogs. methods: hap was prepared using the hydrothermal method from coral shells. characterization of the fabricated coral shell was done by x-ray diffraction (xrd), field emission scanning electron microscopy (fesem), and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (edx). the designed research was performed on 18 dogs of both sexes (mean weight: 20±0.5 kg, mean age: 2±0.6 years). the samples were divided into two equal groups. animals underwent experimental defects at the ventral surface of the lower mandible about 14.5 mm. results: the results of xrd represented high crystallinity, the edx results indicated the surface morphology of distributed particles of calcium, phosphorous, carbon, and oxygen, respectively, and the fesem results suggested that the surface morphology of hap appears as a spherical particle that regularly distributed within the sample. in the hap group, at 30 days, the fesem images show that the defective gap completely closed, and the center of the defect was filled with a thick layer of osteoid matrix. radiographically, the hap group at 30 days post-surgery indicated a well-defined circular radiolucent bone gap at the caudal portion of the mandible, with a partially sclerosed margin. macroscopically, at 30 days, the gap appears very small and is invaded by new bone formation. conclusion: in conclusion, recycling hap from coral shells has practical value in the reconstitution of the mandibular gap, and the radiological and critical properties of prepared hap emphasize this outcome.