curasan AG launches bone substitute Osbone® - the synthetic alternative without biological history

Online, March 16, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Frankfurt/Kleinostheim, Germany - In Germany alone, every year about 800,000 tooth implants are placed. In the case of almost every second patient bone augmentation is necessary, because the jawbone atrophy is already too advanced. The development of bone substitute materials has advanced considerably over the last few years, particularly in the area of scaffold substances. There is a broad spectrum ranging from autologous, fully synthetic to xenogenic materials. "With Osbone® we now have a next generation of fully synthetic hydroxyapatite that, in contrast to bovine materials, involves absolutely no potential infection or allergy risks, which cannot ever be completely discounted with xenogenic materials", explains Dr. Wolf-Dietrich Hubner, Medical Director at curasan AG.

The earlier generation of synthetic hydroxyapatites did not always exhibit the desired clinical results, due to their low porosity and insufficient biocompatibility. Osbone®, on the other hand, is extremely biocompatible due to its high porosity and modern method of manufacture, and enables rapid osseointegration and therefore a stable implant bedding for subsequent implantation. Synthetically-produced drugs and medical devices can be manufactured to higher levels of purity and will consequently fulfil the requirements of a progressive medical science. "Until now, there were few practical alternatives to bovine substitute materials and the use of autologous bone substances. Here, the new synthetic materials are very promising, also because it clearly simplifies the informing of patients and reduces the risk of liability", confirms Dr. Andreas Holweg, specialist for oral maxillofacial surgery from Fulda.

Indications and optimum application
Osbone® is a synthetic hydroxyapatite and, by virtue of its properties, is suitable for application in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery for many indications.
Commensurate with its slow resorption kinetics and its irregular polygonal morphology, Osbone® is particularly suitable for filling defects or for the augmentation of areas where a stable bedding is required for implants. In order to achieve optimum results, all bone fragments, necrotic tissue and connective tissue should be carefully removed to prepare the implant bedding. Direct contact of Osbone® with the bleeding, vital bone and a thorough debriding of the bone prior to introduction, support the colonisation with osteocytes and blood vessel infiltration. Incidentally, this advice also applies in equal measure to other bone substitute materials. Before being inserted into the defect, Osbone® should be mixed with autologous blood from the damaged region, as the body has already enriched this area with factors which participate in wound healing. Contained within the viscous consistency of the coagulating, autologous blood, Osbone® may be easily applied to the defect. Use in conjunction with autologous spongiosa, bone marrow aspirate or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is also possible. The multiporous structure of the granulate forms the basis for the development of the material and for access of cell nutrients.

In addition
Osbone® makes it easier for doctors to inform patients. Due to its synthetic manufacture, explanations about the biological origins of the material, its source and potential residual risks of infection and allergic reaction induced by the product no longer apply. The physician is in a position to offer his or her patients an alternative to bovine hydroxyapatite. The doctor can thereby fulfil the legally prescribed duty to inform patients without any worries. Furthermore he can meet the requirements of the patient's right to self-determination.

Additional information available at www.osbone.de