The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of bioactive glass, mineralized bone matrix (MBM) and demineralized bone matrix (DBM) on the healing of bone defects in rabbits and to determine the best graft material by comparison of the histological findings.

Fourteen New Zealand rabbits (4-5-month old male) were used in this study. The rabbits were randomly divided into 2 main groups as 30 and 60 day postoperative follow-ups and each group contained 7 randomly selected rabbits. Under general anesthesia, a total of four defects, two on the proximal metaphysis of tibias of each rabbits were created. Fourteen of 56 bone defects created were left empty (control group). The other bone defects were filled with bioactive glass, MBM and DBM, respectively (n=14 in each group). Thus, all graft groups were formed in each rabbit.

On the postoperative 30^th and 60^th days, the rabbits were sacrificed. The bone sections containing the grafted regions were taken and histological examinations performed. Histological examinations showed that bone healing in the bioactive glass group was better than the other groups.

Consequently, bioactive glass was observed to significantly increase bone healing, and it is believed that it can be used confidently as a graft material.