Objectives: To compare the density of bone fill in extraction sockets with and without addition of bone filling material. Methods: 22 test and 23 control sockets after surgically extracted Class II impacted third lower molars were selected. All test sockets were filled completely with tricalcium phosphate granules (Chronos™, Switzerland). All sockets were irrigated with garamycin solution (80mg/ml) before suturing. Radiographs were taken using paraleling method with customized bite blocks and millimeter grid at day 0, 1 and 3-months postoperative. A 10x10mm2 region of interest in each radiograph was selected 1mm below the alveolar crest, distal to the lower second molar and above the ID canal, to detect density changes using modified Taguchi's grading (Taguchi et al, 1997). A horizontal line from the apex of second molar distal root and a perpendicular line from the highest point of the socket were drawn on the radiograph. The height of the socket was then measured by counting the millimeter spaces along the perpendicular line. The bone density changes from day 0 to 3-month and between test and control sockets were compared using the £q2 test, while changes in the bone height were compared using t-test. Results: Bone density changes between test and control:
|
| 1 month | 3 months | ||
| Grading | Test | Control | Test | Control |
| 0 | 76.19% | 91.3% | 4.76% | 60.87% |
| 1 | 0% | 43.47% | 71.43% | 39.13% |
| 2 | 23.81% | 43.47% | 23.81% | 0% |
* test vs control p<0.001
The mean±sdmm bone height of test sockets at day-0, 1-month and 3-month were 13.78±0.33, 13.52±0.34 and 13.61±0.32, respectively. The corresponding figures of control sockets were 12.60±0.34, 12.16±0.32 and 12.15±0.33, respectively. All the differences between the test and control sockets were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: TCP granules seem to promote more bone fill in sockets of surgically removed lower third molar.