The aim of the present study was to evaluate clinically and radiographically the
effectiveness of nano-crystalline hydroxyapatite (NcHA) versus hydroxyapatite (HA)
crystals in the treatment of intrabony periodontal defects. Subjects and Methods:
Twelve patients with bilateral defects, with probing depth (PD) ≥5 mm and clinical
attachment loss (CAL) ≥3 mm participated in the present study. Subjects were divided
randomly into Group 1: 12 sites treated surgically with open flap debridement (OFD)
and placement of NcHA (1) as a bone substitute. Group 2: 12 sites treated surgically
with open flap debridement and placement of HA (2) as a bone substitute. The following
clinical parameters were recorded: PD, CAL, plaque index (PI), gingival index
(GI), alveolar bone level percentage and bone density percentage. Results: At 6 months
following therapy, PD and CAL decreased by time, with a statistically significant difference
in both groups .On comparison of the mean difference in PD and CAL between the
two groups after Mann-Whitney U test was applied at baseline, 3 and 6 months, scores
were found to be statistically non-significant (p>0.01). A significant reduction in PI and
GI were recorded following therapy. As regard to radiographic bone measurements,
in both groups, alveolar bone level percent decreased by time, with a non-significant
difference. The change occurring in the first interval was greater in both groups, with a
non-significant difference. In both groups, bone density percent increased by time, with
a significant difference. The change occurring in the second interval was greater in both
groups, with a non-significant difference between changes occurring in both intervals.
Conclusion: Both NcHA and conventional HA led to the improvement of clinical and
radiographic parameters over the course of the study. The NcHA group did not show
any significant improvement over the HA group.