The use of autogeneous bone graft is usual for the reconstruction of bone defects in routine practice. The problems of producing and utilization of grafts have encourrged investigators to search for a suitable alternative and Bone Matrix gelatin (BMG) is one of be named. Because of the importance of the issue and the need of the country s health care requirements, this study wsa conducted in rahhits in order to evaluate and compare the effect of BMG and autograft on the reconstruction of bone defects.
The desing of the study was experimental and data was collected using a questionnaire and microscopic observation. Male white New Zealand rabbits were used for this study. Using Urist technique, BMG was produced and grafts were removed from rabbits left iliac bones. The grafts were placed on right sided maxilla and BMG was applied to fill the defects. Then, the rate and amount of reconstruction were compared in the two groups at 7 th, 14 th, 24 th, and 60 th days aeter operation according to the following items:
1- Type of osteogenesis 2- cartilagetormation 3- rate of bonetormation 4- In flamation types.
The results showed a reduction of inflammation and increase in bone formation through time. This indicates that BMG, like autograft, can be useful in the reconstruction of bone defects in rabbits.