Alloplast
Pronunciation: AL-oh-plast
A synthetic or inorganic graft material used as a bone substitute in periodontal regenerative procedures.
Full Definition
An alloplast is a laboratory-manufactured, biocompatible material — such as hydroxyapatite, beta-tricalcium phosphate, or bioactive glass — used to fill osseous defects when autogenous or biologic graft materials are unavailable or unsuitable. Unlike autografts or allografts, alloplasts carry no risk of disease transmission. They primarily act as osteoconductive scaffolds, guiding new bone growth without themselves being osteogenic. Editors should note that 'alloplast' is distinct from 'allograft'; the prefix 'allo-' is shared but the origins of the materials differ fundamentally.
Usage
Usage note: Editors frequently see 'alloplast' confused with 'allograft' in manuscripts. The distinction is material origin: synthetic vs. human donor.
In Context
- "Beta-tricalcium phosphate, classified as an alloplast, was selected for its resorbable properties." — Clinical case study
- "The manuscript incorrectly described the hydroxyapatite material as an allograft; it should be labeled an alloplast." — Peer-review editorial comment