The effect of the synthetic hydroxyapatite on the regeneration of the alveolar bone of dogs and on the alive tissue were evaluated. In two groups of 14 adult healthy dogs, weighing from 10 to 15kg, some defects around 6 x 5mm were provoked on the vestibular surface of the right jaw alveolar process until reaching the root of the forth premolar. In one group, the defect was infilled with synthetic hydroxyapatite. The no treated group dogs were used as control. Clinical evaluations were daily performed over one week, as well as radiographic evaluations after surgery, and on 8, 21, 42, 60, 90 and 120 days after surgery. Twenty-four dogs showed inflammation and the recovery in the treated group was slower than in the control group. Bleeding at the presence of hydroxyapatite was observed in all the animals. The radiographic examination presented an increasing radiopacity in the control group; however, this defect was still visible on day 120 after operation. Initially, in the treated group, radiopacity was higher than that of the normal bone and a gradual decrease occurred until becoming similar to the adjacent bone on day 60 days after surgery. The hydroxyapatite T290800-1 accelerated the infilling of the defect provoked in the alveolar process and caused gingival inflammation and hemorrhage; however, this does not contraindicate its use.
dog; hydroxyapatite; alveolar process; radiopacity
