OBJECTIVETo observe the healing and bone formation of the autogenous particulate bone graft and osseointegration of the implants in shaped titanium mesh with autogenous particulate bone graft and simultaneous implant for reconstructing segmental mandibular defect in dogs.

METHODSFive Beagle dogs were prepared with unilateral 40 mm segmental mandibular defect. Titanium mesh was shaped according to the mandibular defect and was fixed with titanium screws. The ablated mandibular bone and iliac bone were crashed to approximately 2 mm particulates which then filled the titanium mesh tightly (cortical bone:cancellous bone, 3:1). Two implants were placed in the autogenous particulate bone graft. The dogs were sacrificed after six months. X-ray films, histological sections, Scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and Energy disperse analysis of the reconstructed mandibles were examined to evaluate the bone formation of the bone graft and osseointegration of the implants.

RESULTSThe outline of the reconstructed mandible was satisfactory and its function was excellent. The ossific fusion among the particulate bone grafts was fine and no resorption was found. All implants showed excellent osseointegration with the bone graft. The bone near the implant was more compact than the bone away from it. The structure of the bone near implant was optimized because of simultaneous implant in shaped titanium mesh.

CONCLUSIONSThe shaped titanium mesh with autogenous particulate bone graft is a good method for reconstructing segmental mandibular defect, and simultaneous implant is feasible in the reconstructed mandible in dogs.