Autogenous, allogenic, and beta-TCP grafts: comparative effectiveness in experimental bone furcation defects in dogs

The healing responses of three implant materials--fresh autogenous bone, allogenic decalcified freeze-dried bone, and alloplastic implant, beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP)--were evaluated and compared. Through-and-through furcational defects were surgically created in the third and fourth mandibular premolars of three dogs. Implant material was then placed individually in the surgical defects. All defects without grafting served as controls. Following grafting (ten weeks into the healing period), individual dogs were killed and prepared for light microscopy. The following results were recorded: (1) All materials were well-tolerated. No post-surgical complications occurred. (2) Graft sites showed more pronounced regeneration and the possibility of higher periodontal attachment than did control sites. (3) The defects filled with autogenous bone showed slightly more pronounced regeneration than in allogenic freeze-dried bone and beta-TCP.