Histological observations on the healing of a periodontal defect five years after an autogenous bone graft.

A bone autograft obtained from the iliac crest was implanted into the periodontal region of the lower first molar (36) in a patient suffering from juvenile periodontitis. In the present paper we describe the results of a biopsy obtained 5 years after the graft implantation. The radiological, histological and ultrastructural images obtained suggested that neoformation of bone, cementum-like tissue, and of connective tissue interposed between the two, had occurred. Introduction A number of investigators have tried to obtain neoformation of the periodontium using bone autografts [1-11]. Postoperative observations suggested that bone neoformation was accompanied by neoformation of cementum and ligament[5,6,8,123. Other studies have provided evidence indicating that migrating epithelial cells invade the periodontium and interpose themselves between the new bone and the root, thus preventing formation of a new ligament [13-16]. These observations were, however, limited to periods of less than one year after grafting. In the present paper we describe results obtained 5 years after implantation of an iliac crest autograft into the periodontium of the first lower molar (36) in a patient suffering from juvenile periodontitis. Materials and Methods Clinical F.C., an 18-year-old female of French origin, was referred to the Department of Periodontology. On oral examination, a full permanent dentition was present and there was no evidence of active caries or defective restorations. However, both the lower and upper incisors and the first left molar (36) showed considerable mobility * Faculte d'Odontologie, Service de Parodontologie, 21 Rue Sylbbelle, Marseille, France. ** The London Hospital Medical College, Dept. of Anatomy and Histology, Turner St, London, England. *** Faculte d'Odontologie, Marseille Chef du Departement de Parodontologie, Marseille, France.