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

T his 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)