Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HA) in the healing process and restitution of extracted tooth sockets after surgical removal of mandibular third molars.
Materials and methods: In a double-blinded study, participants with bilateral impacted mandibular third molars went through surgical extractions, with one socket receiving nano-HA and the other acting as a control. The surgeon and the participant were both unaware of the study or control side. In order to produce nano-HA, aqueous suspension H3PO4 (0.6m) was gradually added to hydroxide calcium aqueous solution. Data was analyzed with t-test and the significance level was set at a pvalue less than 0.05, while parallel periapical radiographs were used to observe the changes. Results: Thirty participants (mean age 27 yr) underwent surgical removal of the mandibular third molars. There was no radiolucency line in any of the cases among experimental group. The mean absorption rate was 1.2722mm in the experimental group and 2.1056mm in control group. The data is significant, yet the decreasing height in the case towards control side was lower, although it's not notable.
Discussion: Based on the results of the present study, nano-HA may act as a safe alternative for autogenous bone graft.
