Clinical evaluation of a biphasic calcium phosphate grafting material in the treatment of human periodontal intrabony defects

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcome of open flap debridement (OFD) with a biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) graft to that of OFD without BCP graft for the treatment of intrabony periodontal defects (IBDs). METHODS: The study included 25 subjects that had at least one intrabony defect of 2- or 3-wall morphology and an intrabony component≥4 mm as detected radiographically. Subjects were randomly assigned to treatment with (BCP group, n=14) or without BCP (OFD group, n=11). Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline and 6 months after surgery and included the plaque index, gingival index, probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and gingival recession (REC). A stringent plaque control regimen was enforced for all of the patients during the 6-month observation period. RESULTS: In all of the treatment groups, significant PD reductions and CAL gains occurred during the study period (P<0.01). At 6 months, patients in the BCP group exhibited a mean PD reduction of 3.7±1.2 mm and a mean CAL gain of 3.0±1.1 mm compared to the baseline. Corresponding values for the patients treated with OFD were 2.5±0.8 mm and 1.4±1.0 mm, respectively. Compared to OFD group, the additional CAL gain was significantly greater in the patients in BCP group (P=0.028). The additional PD reduction was significant for the BCP group (P=0.048). The REC showed a significant increase in both groups, and the amount of recession was significantly smaller in the BCP group than OFD group (P=0.023). In radiographic evaluation, the height of the bone fill in the BCP group was significantly greater than OFD group. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical benefits of BCP found in this study indicate that BCP may be an appropriate alternative to conventional graft materials.