Reconstructing Mandibular Defects Using Autologous Tissue-engineered Tooth and Bone Constructs

Purpose: Current strategies for jaw reconstruction require multiple operations to replace bone and teeth. To improve on these methods, we investigated simultaneous mandibular and tooth reconstruction, using a Yucatan minipig model.

Materials And Methods: Tooth and bone constructs were prepared from third molar tooth tissue and iliac-crest bone marrow-derived osteoblasts isolated from, and implanted back into, the same pig as an autologous reconstruction. Implants were harvested after 12 and 20 weeks and evaluated by x-ray, ultrahigh-resolution volume computed tomographic (VCT), histological, and immunohistochemical analyses.

Results: Small tooth structures were identified, and consisted of organized dentin, enamel, pulp, and periodontal ligament tissues, surrounded by new bone. No dental tissues formed in implants without tooth-bud cells, and bone regeneration was observed to a limited extent. Immunohistochemical analyses using tooth-specific and bone-specific antibodies confirmed the identity of regenerated tissues.

Conclusions: This pilot study supports the feasibility of tissue-engineering approaches for coordinated autologous tooth and mandible reconstruction, and provides a basis for future improvement of this technique for eventual clinical use in humans.