Human clinical and histologic responses to Durapatite implants in intraosseous lesions. Case reports

The healing response following implantation of a nonresorbable ceramic (durapatite) into human periodontal osseous defects was evaluated clinically and histologically. Four tooth-containing blocks were obtained from four patients who had received durapatite implants in osseous defects, each exceeding 4 mm in depth. Each patient was seen for 5 to 13 postsurgical maintenance visits. Teeth in block section were removed between 8 weeks and 8 months postgraft surgery. Clinical evaluation of the repair process demonstrated that pocket depth decreased in all four cases. Histological evaluation of the repair process showed no indication of new periodontal attachment, osteogenesis or cementogenesis, in the host tissues adjacent to the graft particles. Pocket closure appeared to occur by means of a long junctional epithelium and connective tissue adhesions. There was minimal or no evidence of inflammation in all sections associated with the implant. The graft material therefore acted as a biocompatible foreign body within the gingival tissue.