MINERAL COMPOSITION AND CRYSTALLINE STRUCTURE OF SYNTHETIC GRAFT SUBSTITUTES VERSUS BONE ALLOGRAFTS: XRD-EDS STUDY

Abstract

Background: Bone graft materials play a critical role in periodontal and implant regenerative therapy, yet the physicochemical differences between synthetic and allogenic grafts remain insufficiently characterized using precise analytical techniques. Hence the aim of our study was to assess and compare the mineral content and crystalline structure of a bioresorbable synthetic graft matrix (BSGM) and DFDBA using XRD and EDS mapping. Methods & Methodology: With institutitional ethical committee approval & writtten informed consent, we have conducted six powdered samples each of BSGM (PowerBone®) and DFDBA using XRD to determine crystalline pattern, particle size (Debye-Scherrer equation), and crystallinity percentage, followed by EDS mapping on identical samples to assess elemental composition and Ca/P ratio. Result: BSGM exhibited a sharper diffraction peak (~760 a.u.), higher crystallinity (43.13%), larger particle size (37.6 nm), and a Ca/P ratio of 1.58, indicating a highly crystalline, stoichiometric calcium-phosphate ceramic. DFDBA showed a broader peak (~330 a.u.), lower crystallinity (39.67%), smaller particle size (5.6 nm), and a calcium-deficient Ca/P ratio of 1.31, reflecting a naturally disordered, organically embedded mineral phase. EDS further confirmed DFDBA's organic collagenous nature (high carbon, low Ca/P) versus BSGM's fully inorganic ceramic composition with trace zinc doping. Conclusion: BSGM demonstrates superior crystallinity and structural stability favoring space maintenance, while DFDBA retains biological reactivity conducive to resorption and osteoinduction, indicating complementary rather than interchangeable clinical roles.