Local biochemical markers of bone turnover: relationship to subsequent density of healing alveolar bone defects.

OBJECTIVES: This pilot study was designed to test whether biochemical markers of bone turnover in washes of periosteal or trabecular alveolar bone surfaces could be correlated with increases in bone density of an adjacent healing implant socket. METHODS: Ten subjects had a canula inserted into the alveolar crest and sterile phosphate-buffered saline was washed over the periosteal and trabecular surfaces and collected. Surgical flaps were reflected, 5 mm diameter bone cores were removed from the bone wash site, and standardized radiographs were taken. The sites were allowed to heal for 12 weeks, and radiographs were repeated. Bone washes of the healing sites were also collected after 2 and 12 weeks. Washes were analysed for bone turnover markers osteocalcin (OC; radioimmunoassay) and C-terminal telopeptide of Type 1 collagen (ICTP; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)), and blood component albumin (ALB; ELISA). Changes in bone density during healing were determined by radiographic absorptiometry. RESULTS: OC/ALB and ICTP/ALB ratios were higher for trabecular than periosteal washes at baseline (p