Bone Grafts in Jaw Cysts- Hydroxyapatite & Allogenic Bone – A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: Auto bone is the gold standard in bone grafting. However, the morbidity and additional surgical time associated with its collection, as well as the limited supply, have stimulated the search for substitutes. Allograft is more limited than autograft because it yields more variable clinical results. Composite synthetic grafts offer an alternative because Hydroxyapatite is chemically identical to the inorganic matrix of living bones and it can be processed synthetically. The intent was to evaluate these two graft materials for clinical use and to provide an insight on the different grafting strategies to enhance bone formation.

Objective: To find out the bone healing process and the prognostic value for the patient using hydroxyapatite alloplastic material and allogenic bone graft.

Method: Total 28 patients were included in the study after the clinical and radiological evaluation where 14 cases were treated with allogenic-bone graft and rest 14 cases were treated with hydroxyapatite alloplastic material after enucleation of the cystic lesion in random manner. The integration of hydroxyapatite and allogenic bone was assessed with postoperative lesion diameter, trabecular pattern, histopathological and scintigraphic examination of the successful graft cases. Statistical analysis was carried out by ‘unpaired T test' and ‘Chi square' test.

Result: The radiological, histopathological and scintigraphical outcome of the patients treated with hydroxyaptite granule bone graft were clinically and statistically superior in comparison with those who were treated with allogenic bone graft.

Conclusion: This safe and osteoconductive hydroxyapatite appears suitable for filling bone defects and bone cavities, showing less resorption and a rapid osseous integration.

Key words: Hydroxyapatite; allogenic bone; scintigraphy; radiology; histopathology.

DOI: 10.3329/bsmmuj.v2i1.3707

BSMMU J 2009; 2(1): 25-30