osteoconductive

Osteoconductive describes materials or environments that support the growth of new bone by providing a scaffold or framework along which bone-forming cells can migrate, proliferate, and form organized bone tissue. An osteoconductive substance itself does not actively cause bone formation but enables native bone to grow into its porous structure, typically in concert with vascular ingrowth and remodeling. The effectiveness of osteoconduction depends on scaffold properties such as porosity, pore size and interconnectivity, mechanical stability, and biocompatibility.

Common osteoconductive materials include calcium phosphate ceramics such as hydroxyapatite and beta-tricalcium phosphate, calcium phosphate cements, bioactive glasses, and certain natural or synthetic polymers that are combined with inorganic components. Autografts and some demineralized bone matrices can be osteoconductive as part of their overall grafting properties, providing a scaffold that supports ingrowth. Synthetic bone graft substitutes are designed to be osteoconductive while avoiding donor-site morbidity.

Clinical use and limitations: Osteoconductive scaffolds are widely used to repair bone defects and in spinal fusion, dental implants, and orthopedic revisions. However, on their own they lack osteoinductive signals to recruit and differentiate progenitor cells, and they do not contain living bone-forming cells (osteogenic). To enhance performance, they are often used with osteoinductive factors such as bone morphogenetic proteins or combined with cells in tissue-engineered constructs. Advances include 3D-printed porous scaffolds tailored to defect geometry, and composites that integrate stiffness with bioactivity.