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

Abukawa, Harutsugi; Zhang, Weibo; Young, Conan S.; Asrican, Rose; Vacanti, Joseph P.; Kaban, Leonard B.; Troulis, Maria J.; Yelick, Pamela C.

doi:10.1016/j.joms.2008.09.002

« Previous Next »Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Volume 67, Issue 2 , Pages 335-347, February 2009

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

Harutsugi Abukawa, DDS, PhD
- Formerly, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA; and Currently, Research Associate, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Tokyo Medical University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
Weibo Zhang, DMD, PhD
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Division of Craniofacial and Molecular Genetics, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Tufts University, Boston, MA
Conan S. Young, PhD
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Cytokine Biology, Forsyth Institute and Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
Rose Asrican, MS
- Technician, Department of Cytokine Biology, Forsyth Institute and Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
Joseph P. Vacanti, MD
- Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Leonard B. Kaban, DMD, MD
- Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
Maria J. Troulis, DDS, MSc
- Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
Pamela C. Yelick, PhD
- Professor and Director, Division of Craniofacial and Molecular Genetics, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Tufts University, Boston, MA
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Yelick: Division of Craniofacial and Molecular Genetics, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Tufts University, 136 Harrison Avenue, Room M824, Boston, MA 02111

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.