A six-month clinical evaluation of decalcified freeze-dried bone allografts in periodontal osseous defects.

The osteogenic potential of decalcified freeze-dried bone allografts in the treatment of human periodontal osseous defects was evaluated over a 6 month period. Cortical bone, obtained under sterile conditions from a human donor within 24 hours after death, was decalcified, freeze-dried and ground to a particle size of 250 to 500 microns. Twenty-seven osseous defects with one-, two- and wide three-wall morphology were treated. Clinical measurements were made with a stent and a calibrated periodontal probe before surgery, at the time of surgery, and at re-entry. The combined mean osseous regeneration for all defects was 2.4 mm. This represented a 65% mean bone-fill of the original defect. The findings demonstrate that decalcified freeze-dried bone allograft has potential as an osseous grafting material in periodontal therapy.