Clinical and radiographic evaluations of porous hydroxyapatite as bone graft material in the treatment of interproximal vertical defects

Background: Periodontal regeneration has been the goal over the past few years in the treatment of various periodontal defects. Various traditional surgical and nonsurgical approaches were found to produce the minimal amount of new periodontal attachment apparatus. It was further suggested that the addition of various graft materials might increase the amount of new bone, periodontal ligament, and cementum generated. Hence, this clinical study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of porous hydroxyapatite in the treatment of interproximal vertical bony defects in human beings as a regenerative implant material. Materials and Methods: A total of 16 sites from eight patients in the age group of 30-60 years were selected. Out of the two sites from each patient, one was control site-flap surgery without porous hydroxyapatite graft material and the other was experimental site-flap surgery with porous hydroxyapatite graft material. At 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months postoperatively, each site was subjected to clinical parameters such as pocket depth, attachment gain, gingival recession, and osseous fill. Results: Significant mean attachment gain was observed at 6 months and 9 months after surgery. The mean original defect was significant at 3 months and 6 months postsurgically. Mean percentage fill was significant at 3 months postsurgically. All other parameters were nonsignificant. Conclusion: Radiographic assessment showed a greater defect fill at the grafted site indicating the superiority of grafting procedure to nongraft procedure. Hence, porous hydroxyapatite crystals are an effective graft material in elimination of interproximal vertical defects.