Efficacy of various alloplastic materials in bony defects—a clinico radiological study

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of various biomaterials in bone healing when used in bony surgical defects of Oral and Maxillofacial region. Materials and methods: A study of 20 patients with intraoral bony defects such as periapical cysts, periapical granulomas and other minor cysts was carried out at DJ Dental College, Modinagar. Alloplastic grafts such as hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, dimineralised bovine bone were used. Post-operative results were evaluated on the basis of healing. Radiodensity measurement was calibrated by Radiovisuograph machine pre-operatively, immediately after surgery, after putting the graft, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months post-operatively. Results: Study has shown that these alloplastic materials have been very helpful in promoting bone healing and adequate bone is formed within 3–6 months after the surgery. Cases in which tooth mobility was observed after the enucleation, filling of these graft materials reduces the mobility and did not require any arch bar or splint fixation. It has not been able to establish comparative efficacy of one graft with other statistically because sample size was small. Conclusion: Resorbable porous grafts have shown good results in promoting bone healing in various surgical defects due to their inherent osteoconductor property hence they should be more commonly used.