Analysis of bone response to dental bone grafts by advanced physical techniques

In recent years there has been an increasing interest in a novel approach to evaluate dental bone grafts by means of synchrotron radiation-based advanced physical techniques. Using synchrotron facilities, bone regeneration subsequent to grafting hosting sites with different types of biomaterials (with or without stem cells seeding) was recently explored. 3D analysing methods like X-ray microdiffraction and microtomography are indicated to explore dynamics and spatial distribution of regenerative phenomena in such complex anatomic structures. In the present chapter the most recent breakthroughs are explored, demonstrating the unique capabilities of the synchrotron radiation techniques in offering not only an advanced characterization of different biomaterials (used as bone substitutes) but also to investigate the growth kinetics of regenerated bone in different dental bone grafts retrieved from humans.