Radiographic evaluation of infra-bony defects treated by bone graft procedures

Purpose: A number of techniques and materials have been used for periodontal regeneration and bone graft procedures with guided tissue regeneration(GTR) have been suggested as alternatives to osseous surgery in the management of local infra-bony defects. However, the long-term stability and treatment outcome following bone graft procedure of infra-bony defects is poorly documented. The purpose of this study was to assess radiographic change in infra-bony defects over 2 years after bone graft procedures with various graft materials. Material and Methods: Patients attending the department of periodontics of Kyungpook National University Hospital were studied. Patients showed clinical and radiographic evidence of infra-bony defect(s). 44 sites of 34 patients aged 31 to 69 (mean age 48.3) were treated by bone graft procedure with a bone graft material. Baseline and 2-year follow-up radiographs were collected and evaluated for this study. Radiographic assessment includes a bone fill, bone crest change, defect resolution, and % of defect resolution. Pre- and post-treatment differences between variables (maxilla and mandible, defect depth, defect angle, bone graft materials) using the paired t-test were examined. Result: We observed $1.15{\pm}1.95\;mm$ of bone fill, $0.40{\pm}1.19\;mm$ of crestal resorption, $1.55{\pm}1.77\;mm$ of defect resolution, and $40{\pm}44%$ of percentage of defect resolution. Deeper initial defect depth, narrower initial defect angle showed significantly greater bone fill, defect resolution, and % of defect resolution. But no significant difference was observed in graft sites and graft materials. Conclusion: If good oral hygiene maintenance and periodic recall check of patients is assured, bone graft procedure using various graft materials is one of the appropriate treatment modality for regenerative therapy of infra-bony defects.

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