Early re-entry procedure. Part II. A five year histologic evaluation.

The following study was carried out to assess the histologic integrity of a bone graft which had appeared clinically successful at early re-entry some 5 years previously. The tooth required extraction due to a labial root fracture and was subsequently extracted in modified block section, demineralized, sectioned, stained and evaluated histologically. Histologic evaluation revealed the presence of a functional periodontal membrane apparatus in active stages of both bone and cemental remodeling. Necrotic bone spicules within the areas of otherwise viable periodontium suggested residue from prior graft material. Histologic evaluation presented here supports the previous clinical impression that early re-entry of autogenous grafts for evaluation and physiologic recontouring, where indicated, appears justified without apparent adverse effects on local periodontal regeneration.