A clinical and radiological evaluation of the relative efficacy of demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft versus anorganic bovine bone xenograft in the treatment of human infrabony periodontal defects: A 6 months follow-up study

BACKGROUND: The ultimate goal of periodontal therapy entails regeneration of the periodontal tissues lost as a consequence of periodontitis. Predictable correction of vertical osseous defects has however posed as a constant therapeutic challenge. The aim of our present study is to evaluate the relative efficacy of demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) vs anorganic bovine bone xenograft (ABBX) in the treatment of human infrabony periodontal defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 15 patients with 30 bilaterally symmetrical defect sites in either of the arches, in the age group of 25-50 years were selected as part of split-mouth study design. Defect-A (right side) was grafted with DFDBA while Defect-B (left side) was grafted with ABBX. Various clinical and radiographic parameters viz. probing depth(PD), clinical attachment level(CAL) and linear bone fill were recorded preoperatively, 12- & 24-weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: Both defect-A & defect-B sites exhibited a highly significant reduction in probing depth, and gain in clinical attachment level and linear bone fill at 12-weeks & at the end of 24-weeks. Comparative evaluation between the study groups revealed a statistically non-significant reduction in probing depth (P<0.1) and mean gain in linear bone fill (P<0.1). However, there was a statistically significant gain in clinical attachment level (P<0.05) in Defect-A (CD=0.356) as compared to Defect-B (CD=0.346). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of this study, both the materials viz. ABBX and DFDBA are beneficial for the treatment of periodontal infrabony defects. Both the materials were found to be equally effective in all respects except the gain in attachment level, which was found to be more with DFDBA. Long-term studies are suggested to evaluate further the relative efficacy of the two grafts.