The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the relationship between the hydration time of demineralized freeze-dried bone (DFDB) and early new bone formation in rat calvarial defects filled with DFDB. Rats (n = 43) were divided into 4 experimental groups. Standard, transosseous circular defects of the calvaria were made midparietally. In experimental group 1, the defect was grafted immediately after soaking the DFDB. In experimental group 2, the defects were grafted with DFDB after soaking the DFDB for 10 minutes. In experimental groups 3 and 4, the defects were filled after soaking the DFDB for 30 and 60 minutes, respectively. Graft sites were analyzed histologically after healing periods of 1, 2, or 4 weeks. Each group showed similar bone regeneration at each time point by histological analysis. The results of this study were as follows: 1. After 1 week, a significant amount of inflammation, granulation tissue, and edema were found. A small amount of bone was seen, but the amount of bone did not differ between groups. 2. After 2 weeks, a small amount of new bone formation and DFDB resorption were observed. 3. After 4 weeks, a greater amount of new bone formation was observed. The greatest amount of bone formation occurred in experimental group 4 after 4 weeks. We conclude that the hydration time of DFDB does not affect new bone formation and that it is very important to control inflammation in bone grafting.