A Comparison of Freeze–Dried Bone Allograft and Demineralized Freeze–Dried Bone Allograft in Human Periodontal Osseous Defects

This study was conducted to clinically compare freeze‐dried bone allograft (FDBA) and demineralized freeze–dried bone allograft (DFDBA). Twenty–two defects (11 intrapatient pairs) in 9 patients were grafted with either DFDBA or FDBA. Evaluations were based on standardized radiographs, presurgical and postsurgical soft tissue measurements using the cemento–enamel junction as a fixed reference point, and osseous measurements at the time of surgery. Grafted sites were re–entered at a minimum of 6 months following placement. A mean osseous repair of 1.7 mm (59%) occurred with DFDBA and 2.4 mm (66%) with FDBA. A mean clinical attachment gain of 1.7 mm was obtained with DFDBA and 2.0 mm with FDBA. Probing depths decreased a mean of 2.00 mm with both DFDBA and FDBA. These findings reveal no significant differences between the two materials in primarily intraosseous defects when evaluated at a minimum 6 months postsurgery. (Journal of Periodontology 1989;60:655–663)