The Use of Demineralized Freeze-Dried Bone/Glycoprotein Matrix Grafts in Treating Baboon Periodontal Infrabony Defects

In an effort to improve regenerative capacity and establish higher levels of predictability, the use of a new graft material was investigated in baboon infrabony periodontal defects. A graft matrix composed of human demineralized freeze-dried bone combined with human connective tissue glycoprotein was implanted in 20 defects in 9 baboons. Control, debrided-only sites in the same animal served as a comparison. Grafted sites achieved a 1.8-mm greater reduction in probing depth and attachment gain compared to controls. In addition, 25.3% greater defect fill was found in grafted sites. Histologic analyses provided evidence of bone induction by the graft matrix and regeneration of new cementum, periodontal ligament, and bone in the grafted sites.