Comparison of bone regeneration with the use of mineralized and demineralized freeze-dried bone allografts: a histological and histochemical study in man.

Mineralized (FDBA) and demineralized freeze-dried bone allografts (DFDBA) have been proposed as substitutes for autologous bone in oral surgery. The demineralization process has been shown, in rodents, to determine osteoinduction in tissues other than bone. Other investigators have reported poor clinical results, in man, with the use of DFDBA. The aim of the present study was a comparative light microscopical and histochemical analysis of bone regeneration processes, in man, with the use of FDBA and DFDBA. Our histological results showed that in DFDBA only the particles near the host bone were involved in the mineralization processes, while in FDBA even the particles that were farthest from the host bone were lined by osteoblasts, actively secreting osteoid matrix and newly formed bone. These results probably point to a more osteoconductive effect of FDBA. No osteoinduction was observed with FDBA or DFDBA.