Enhanced β-tricalcium phosphate blended clot adhesion to EDTA biomodulated periodontally affected root surfaces: in vivo scanning electron microscopy evaluation.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to evaluate β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) blended clot adhesion to EDTA-conditioned root surfaces.

METHODS: Sixty patients with chronic periodontitis and two teeth designated for extraction were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into six groups (G1 to G6; 10 patients in each). In G1, intrabony defects were grafted with β-TCP with a particle size ranging from 150 to 500 μm. In G2, intrabony defects were grafted with β-TCP with a particle size ranging from 63 to 150 μm. Roots in G3 were etched for 2 minutes with a neutral EDTA, followed by defect overfill of the β-TCP used for G1. Defects of G4 were treated by the same method as in G3, except the EDTA gel application was 4 minutes. Roots in G5 and G6 were etched for 2 and 4 minutes, respectively, followed by the defect fill with β-TCP used for G2. For each patient, one tooth was extracted immediately after surgery and the other tooth was extracted at 14 days for scanning electron microscopy evaluation.

RESULTS: Fourteen days after surgery, the G1 and G2 samples revealed undetected graft particles. The G3 samples showed areas of adherent β-TCP particles covering about 42.5%. The G4 samples showed 53.7% graft material coverage. The G5 and G6 samples had adherent grafted particles that covered 77.9% and 82.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Root conditioning with EDTA gel improves β-TCP blended clot adhesion to periodontally involved root surfaces.