Comparison of decalcified freeze-dried bone allograft and porous particulate hydroxyapatite in human periodontal osseous defects.

The purpose of this study was to clinically compare the healing potential of the osteoinductive decalcified freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) with an osteoconductive synthetic graft, particulate porous hydroxyapatite (HA). Six patients ranging in age from 28 to 52 (mean age 42.6) participated in this investigation. They were without significant systemic disorders and had advanced periodontitis with at least two comparable periodontal defects. Each patient received initial therapy consisting of oral hygiene instruction, scaling, root planing, and occlusal adjustment as indicated. Probing pocket depth, gingival recession, attachment levels, and bleeding on probing were recorded in the posthygiene phase of therapy. Alveolar crest height and depth of osseous defect were obtained at the time of surgery. The cemento-enamel junction was used as the fixed reference point. All measurements were repeated at the time of a 6-month reentry. There was no significant difference in any of the soft tissue measurements when DFDBA and HA were compared. However, both treatment modalities reduced pocket depth and demonstrated a gain in clinical attachment levels. There was 2.2 mm of bone repair with DFDBA and 2.1 mm with HA. These values corresponded to a percent defect fill of 61% for DFDBA and 53% for HA. These values were likewise not statistically different.