Allograft
Pronunciation: AL-oh-graft
Bone-grafting material obtained from a human donor (cadaveric or freeze-dried), used as an osteoconductive or osteoinductive scaffold. Distinct from autograft and xenograft.
Full Definition
An allograft is transplanted tissue sourced from a genetically non-identical member of the same species—in dentistry, from cadaveric human bone processed through a tissue bank. The two main forms are Freeze-Dried Bone Allograft (FDBA) and Demineralised Freeze-Dried Bone Allograft (DFDBA); the latter retains bone morphogenetic proteins and is considered osteoinductive as well as osteoconductive. Editors must note the acronyms FDBA and DFDBA, expanding each on first use. The term is one unhyphenated word. Misidentifying an allograft as a xenograft (animal source) or autograft (same patient) is a factual error that editors should query. Regulatory and consent implications in clinical manuscripts make precision essential.
Usage
Usage note: Expand FDBA and DFDBA on first use. One unhyphenated word. Confirm graft classification in all grafting manuscripts.
In Context
- "DFDBA (demineralised freeze-dried bone allograft) was selected for its reported osteoinductive properties." — Periodontal regeneration study
- "The table listed 'allograft' in one row and 'cadaveric graft' in another; the editor queried whether these referred to the same material." — Manuscript table review