Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
In this chapter, human dentin will be introduced as novel biomaterial and also as carrier
matrix of the recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) delivery for bone
engineering.
a: whole appearance of molar.
b: divided tooth (E; enamel, D; dentin, P; pulp).
c: crushed tooth granules.
d: SEM photograph of calcified dentin after crushing and washing. Note; dentinal tubes
Fig. 1. Human wisdom tooth
2. Bone induction of human dentin
In 1967, bone-inducing property in rabbit dentin was confirmed in the intramuscular
pockets (Yeoman &Urist, 1967; Bang & Urist, 1967), after the discovery of bone induction by
rabbit demineralized bone matrix (DBM) in 1965 (Urist, 1965). The rabbit studies reported
that completely demineralized dentin matrix (DDM) induced bone at 4 weeks, while non-
demineralized dentin (so-called, calcified dentin) induced bone at 8-12 weeks after
implantation
(Yeoman & Urist, 1967). In our study, human DDM including small patches of
cementum derived from wisdom teeth, and human DBM derived from adult femur induced
bone and cartilage independently in the subcutaneous tissues at 4 weeks (Murata et al.,
2010a). The delayed inductive properties of the calcified dentin and bone may be related to
the inhibition of BMP-release by the apatite crystals. Highly calcified tissues such as cortical
bone and dentin are not earlier in osteoinduction and bone fornmation than spongy bone,
decalcified bone (DBM), and decalcified dentin (DDM) (Huggins et al., 1970).
