title: Biomimetic hydroxyapatite used in the treatment of periodontal intrabony pockets: clinical and radiological analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hydroxyapatite (PA) has a chemical composition and physical structure very similar to natural bone and therefore it has been considered to be the ideal biomaterial able to ensure a biomimetic scaffold to use in bone tissue engineering. The aim of this study is to clinically test hydroxyapatite used as osteoconductive biomaterial in the treatment of periodontal bone defects. Clinical and radiological evaluations were conducted at 6, 12 and 18 months after the surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients with 2- and 3-wall intrabony pockets were enrolled in this study. PPD, CAL, radiographic depth (RD) and angular defects were preoperatively measured. After surgery, patients were re-evaluated every 6 months for 18 months. Statistical analyses were also performed to investigate any differences between preoperative and postoperative measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Paired t-test samples conducted on the data obtained at baseline and 18 months after, showed significant (p<0.01) differences in each measurement performed. The role of preoperative RD was demonstrated to be a significant key factor (p<0.01). A relevant correlation between preoperative PPD and CAL gain was also found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limitations of this study, the absence of anatomical variables, except the morphology of the bone defect, emphasizes the importance of the proper surgical approach and the graft material used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics and Oral Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele Mario
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Figliuzzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics and Oral Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Amerigo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giudice
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics and Oral Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Settimia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pileggi
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics and Oral Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scordamaglia
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Unit, Calabrodental Clinic, Crotone, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marrelli
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Unit, Calabrodental Clinic, Crotone, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tatullo
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics and Oral Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Leonzio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fortunato
keywords: biomimetic; clinical; hydroxyapatite; intrabony pockets; radiological