Kielbone® in healing interradicular lesions in monkeys

The purpose of this investigation was, to compare the histological features of Kielbone and autogenous jaw bone following transplantation into periodontal interradicular lesions in monkeys. Bifurcation defects were produced on mandibular molars and premolars. Kielbone was transplanted into 40 bifurcations while another 30 bifurcations received fresh autogenous cancellous jaw bone. The animals were sacrificed according to a schedule yielding observation periods up to 16 weeks. Before sacrifice the animals were perfused with a mixture of india ink and serum (3:1) by cannulization of the carotid arteries. The specimens were decalcified in a formic acid/sodium citrate solution. Cleared specimens 100μ of thickness were prepared from one half of each specimen. The other half of the specimen was cut into serial sections 8μ thick and stained with hematoxylin and eosin or Mallory's connective tissue stain. During healing of the treated defects Kielbone grafts and grafts of fresh autogenous bone from the jaws displayed similar histological features. In the bifurcation defects, Kielbone as well as autogenous bone grafts occured as isolated bone particles surrounded by a cementum‐like substance. It is suggested that Kielbone may constitute a suitable substitute for autogenous bone grafts in the treatment of periodontal intrabony defects. However, it should be emphasized that neither autogenous jaw bone nor Kielbone did favour bone regeneration in the bifurcation defects.