Use of Nanohydroxyapatite in Regenerative Therapy in Dogs Affected by Periodontopathy: Preliminary Results

Abstract

Background: The present study aims to analyse the in vivo behaviour of nanohydroxyapatite and to assess its regenerative capacity in dogs affected by periodontal disease. Methods and findings: The dogs employed in the study were randomly subdivided into a control group and an experimental group. After clinical, instrumental and radiological examinations, all the subjects underwent dental prophylaxis and a bioptic sample was taken. A histopathological examination of the periodontal tissues, in correspondence to teeth with periodontopathy ranging between stages 2 and 3, followed. Regenerative therapy with applications of nanohydroxyapatite was administered only to the dogs of the experimental group. After a period of between 35 and 40 days, a further clinical, instrumental and radiological examination was carried out and a bioptic sample taken solely on the dogs whose histological examinations showed changes ascribable to periodontal disease. The results of the histopathological examination demonstrated that only the dogs in the experimental group, who underwent dental prophylaxis together with the administration of nanohydroxyapatite, showed clear signs of improvement with respect to their initial condition. Conclusions: In conclusion the study demonstrated that the nanohydroxyapatite represents a valid osteoconductive and osteoinductive graft product and confirmed its regenerative potential in periodontal therapy in dogs.

Main properties of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite as a bone graft material in treatment of periodontal defects. A review of literature

“…Jahangirnezhad et al [28] reported that n-HA contains osteoconductive properties which make it capable of producing sufficient amount of bone as bone grafting material. In the same vein, Vullo et al [29] indicated that n-HA possesses both osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties in periodontal defects in dogs. Gotz et al [30] evaluated the immunohistochemical properties of hydroxyapatite nanocrystalline silica gel on biopsies obtained from jaw bone.…”

“…Treatment of periodontal defects with n-HA and its comparison to other graft materials have the centre of attention by several studies in the literature on either animals or humans. Recently, Vullo et al [29] confirmed the successful application of n-HA with crystals varying in size between 70 and 100 nm as a graft material in regenerative periodontal therapy in dogs. A comparison was made by Chitsazi et al [44] between the efficacy of n-HA and autogenous bone graft in the treatment of periodontal intrabony defects.…”

“…Vullo et al analysed the effect of n-HA application in periodontal intra osseous defects in dog for regenerative capacity assessment and they concluded the usage of n-HA has both osteoinductive and osteoconductive effects in dog periodontal defect regeneration [55].…”