Implanting of allogenic demineralized dentin in human gingival tissue.

Abstract

Abstract Previous studies have shown that implants of allogenic demineralized dentin in the abdominal muscle of rats and guinea‐pigs, and possibly also in the gingival tissues of man, may induce heterotopic bone formation. A preliminary study of the bone‐inducing effect of allogenic demineralized dentin in human gingival soft tissue is reported.A total of 15 dentin specimens were implanted in the gingiva of six patients (32–58 years of age) who required surgical periodontal treatment. In addition, one implant was placed in the frenulum labiale superior of each of eight patients. The implants remained in the tissues for 4–30 weeks and showed evidence of varying degrees of resorption, but they appeared to be well tolerated. The amount of resorption was not related to the observation time. Dentinal tubules were invaded by connective tissue cells. In a few instances remineralized of the demineralized dentin seemed to have occurred. In one case, an area resembling newly‐formed hard tissue was observed. There was, however, no conclusive evidence of bone formation induced by the dentin implants.