Effect of fluoride on autogenous iliac cancellous bone and marrow transplants in surgically created intrabony pockets in dogs.

The effect of the osteogenic capacity of fluoride on autogenous iliac cancellous bone and marrow transplants was studied in experimentally created periodontal defects. Eight dogs, 2 years old, weighing between 10 to 15 kg each, were used. The right side of the upper jaw served for creation of the experimental (fluoride-treated) pockets and the left side for the control (saline-treated) pockets. Fluoride treatment was carried out by a single topical application of a high concentration of fluoride in the periodontal defects and by application of a low concentration of fluoride to the bone marrow transplants. Intraoral periapical radiographs were taken immediately after implantation, and at time of sacrifice. Changes during bone healing were assessed histologically and by radioopacity measurements. The newly formed bone in the control and fluoride-treated areas did not differ in quality. Radioopacity in the experimental defects was significantly higher in comparison with that found in the control areas. The increase was probably due to greater bone formation in the fluoride-treated defects. The difference decreased with the duration of the healing intervals. Cementum was deposited in both control and experimental sites.