In vivo experimental models are a key factor for the study of normal and pathologic tissue regeneration. This requires the use of advanced site-specification bone defect in small animals. Nowadays rodent models are comparable directly to the standards in large animal models and humans due to advances in ostheosynthesis techniques. This review is discussing the most available and commonly used bone defects (mandibular defects, calvarian defect and large bone defects) in laboratory animals (mice, rats) for testing various biomaterials (polymers, ceramics, cells, etc.). These site defects are the most frequently used to test innovative biological biomaterials as bone substitutes. It further describes procedures, methods, clinical exams, paraclinical exams (imagistics: CT, micro-CT, morph metric analyze, biochemistry) and histopathological results from various studies that can help attest the biomaterials performance and respect the wellbeing of animals. These models are used for the testing of biocompatibility, toxicity and osteointegration of a biomaterial at the locus of bone deficiency. Thus, in vivo bone defects are essential tools for certifying the biocompatibility, biophysical effects and biosafety in using biomaterials in regenerative medicine
