Designing Xenogenic Bone Grafts through Collagen Preservation

Author : Mason Tremblay | Published On : 16 Jun 2026

Advancing Bone Regeneration Through Collagen-Preserving Biomaterials

For decades, xenografts have been widely used in bone regeneration procedures, primarily serving as passive fillers that provide structural support while contributing little to the biological healing process. Tecnoss® has challenged this conventional approach with its OsteoBiol® Dual-Phase bone substitutes, a collagen-based biomaterial portfolio developed through more than 25 years of clinical experience and scientific research.

At the core of OsteoBiol® technology is the preservation of native collagen within bone granules. Unlike traditional anorganic xenografts, which undergo ceramisation and lose their biological matrix, OsteoBiol® maintains a composition of hydroxyapatite and approximately 22 percent collagen, closely resembling the structure of autogenous bone. This preserved collagen enables the biomaterial to actively participate in regeneration by supporting vascularisation, cellular recruitment, and progressive resorption while facilitating both hard and soft tissue healing.

Tecnoss® has designed its biomaterials to simplify surgical procedures and reduce invasiveness across a wide range of clinical applications. OsteoBiol® mp3® functions as a resorbable graft material that is gradually replaced by newly formed bone. OsteoBiol® GTO®, a ready-to-use sticky bone solution, has become a valuable option for managing horizontal defects, while OsteoBiol® Lamina® provides structural support and volume maintenance through heterologous cortical collagenic bone.

“ Our biomaterials are designed to benefit patients through improved surgical handling, reduced operative times and minimised procedural invasiveness,” says Giuseppe Oliva, Founder of Tecnoss®.

The preservation of collagen plays a crucial role in the healing process. As a key component in early bone regeneration, collagen promotes endothelial cell proliferation and the formation of new blood vessels, ensuring the delivery of oxygen and nutrients required for osteogenic activity. Studies have demonstrated that OsteoBiol® biomaterials encourage more extensive capillary-like network formation than non-collagenic xenografts, supporting faster and more effective tissue integration.

By maintaining an active biological matrix, OsteoBiol® facilitates the recruitment of osteoblasts and osteoclasts while promoting stem cell differentiation into bone-forming cells. This coordinated cellular activity drives a controlled remodeling process in which the graft is progressively resorbed and replaced with vital bone that integrates naturally with implant surfaces. The result is a regenerative solution that functions not merely as a scaffold but as an active participant in healing.

Clinical evidence continues to validate the effectiveness of this approach. Experimental studies have reported rapid biological turnover, with more than 40 percent newly formed bone and less than 10 percent residual biomaterial observed within two months of surgery. This regenerative profile often enables clinicians to proceed with implant placement within four to five months while achieving reliable implant stability.

The technology has demonstrated positive outcomes across a range of indications, including socket preservation, ridge augmentation, and sinus floor elevation. Studies involving OsteoBiol® Putty have shown substantial new bone formation following transcrestal sinus floor elevation, while long-term comparisons between OsteoBiol® mp3® and autogenous bone grafts have revealed comparable clinical and histological results over a three-year period. Beyond bone regeneration, OsteoBiol® GTO® has also shown potential benefits in soft tissue healing through its ability to stimulate gingival cell proliferation in vitro.

Supported by more than 350 scientific publications and trusted by hundreds of thousands of clinicians worldwide, OsteoBiol® has established itself as a leading solution in regenerative dentistry. Its combination of biological activity, surgical efficiency, and predictable long-term outcomes continues to expand treatment possibilities while improving patient care.

In recognition of its sustained innovation and contribution to regenerative medicine, Tecnoss® was named Top Xenogenic Biomaterials Designs and Manufacturer 2026 by Life Sciences Review Europe, underscoring the company’s commitment to advancing biomaterials that actively support the body's natural healing processes.