_Applied_  
_sciences_  
_Bone Healing and Regeneration Potential in Rabbit Cortical Defects Using an Innovative Bioceramic Bone Graft Substitute_  
**[PERSON] 1,2,3,4**, [PERSON] 5,7, [PERSON] 6,7,8, [PERSON] 9,10,**  
**[PERSON] 5,11,12, [PERSON] 13,14, and [PERSON] 15,***  
* 1 Department of Dentistry, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City 235, Taiwan; [EMAIL_ADDRESS]
* 2 Department of Oral Hygiene Care, Ching Kuo Institute of Management and Health, Keelung 203, Taiwan
* 3 Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Ishikari-gun 061-0293, Japan
* 4 3D Global Biotech Inc. (Spin-off Company from Taipei Medical University), New Taipei City 221, Taiwan
* 5 Graduate Institute of Biomedical Materials and Tissue Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan; [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (P-J.H.); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (T.-S.Y.)
* 6 Biomedical Technology R & D Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan; [EMAIL_ADDRESS]
* 7 Asia Pacific Laser Institute, New Taipei City 220, Taiwan
* 8 Implant Academy of Minimally Invasive Dentistry, Taipei 106, Taiwan
* 9 School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan; [EMAIL_ADDRESS]
* 10 Dental Department of Wan-Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 116, Taiwan
* 11 School of Biomedical Engineering, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
* 12 Graduate Institute of Nanomedicine and Medical Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
* 13 School of Dental Technology, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
* 14 Department of Dentistry, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 110, Taiwan
* 15 Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Osaka Medical College, Osaka 569-8686, Japan
* * Correspondence: [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (C.-F.H.); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (T.U.)
* + Co-first author: [PERSON].  
Received: 14 July 2020; Accepted: 4 September 2020; Published: 8 September 2020;  
**Abstract:** This study aimed to elucidate the local effect and micro-computed tomographic (\(\upmu\)-CT) assessment following bone implantation of an innovative bioceramic (\(\upalpha\)-calcium sulfate hemihydrate; \(\upalpha\)-CSH) on femur lateral condyle cortical bone of rabbit models. The innovative \(\upalpha\)-CSH bioceramic was synthesized through a green processing technology (microwave irradiation treatment). The bilateral implantation model was performed among 24 New Zealand White rabbits which were divided into three groups based on the type of filling materials: \(\upalpha\)-CSH, control, and blank. Treatments were performed in defects with 6 mm diameter and 7 mm depth and observed after 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Material reaction and bone formation after implantation were evaluated radiographically and histopathologically. The \(\upmu\)-CT analysis results showed that the degradation of \(\upalpha\)-CSH and control material was similar at 4 and 8 weeks. The bone volume in the defects indicated the \(\upalpha\)-CSH increased most in 8 weeks. In histopathological evaluation, the \(\upalpha\)-CSH group was repaired with lamellar bone and well-grown bone marrow infiltration similar to the control material. Moreover, the \(\upalpha\)-CSH revealed a faster degradation rate and better healing progress than the control material under the same conditions. Therefore, the \(\upalpha\)-CSH was confirmed to be useful in promoting osteoporonduction and in controlling the resorption rate in bone defects. Further, the innovative \(\upalpha\)-CSH could be considered as a promising bone substitute for utilization in bone reconstructive therapy in dental and orthopedic fields.  
**Keywords: calcium sulfate hemihydrate; bioceramic; bone defect; bone graft substitute; bone regeneration**