Eight-week histological analysis on the effect of chitosan on surgically created one-wall intrabony defects in beagle dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the periodontal tissue regenerative effects of a chitosan/collagen sponge applied to preclinical one-wall intrabony defects surgically created in beagle dogs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 4 x 4 mm one-wall intrabony defects were surgically created in the bilateral maxillary first and third, and the mandibular second and fourth premolars. The surgical control group received a flap operation only, while the buffer control group was treated afterwards with a phosphate-buffered saline/collagen sponge (CS) and the chitosan group was treated with a chitosan/cs. The subjects were killed 8 weeks after the operation, and a comparative histological examination was performed. RESULTS: The amount of junctional epithelium migration was 2.30+/-1.24 mm in the surgical control group, 1.49+/-1.25 mm in the buffer control group, and 0.26+/-0.59 mm in the chitosan group. A significant difference was exhibited only between the surgical control and the chitosan group (p<0.05). The amount of connective tissue adhesion was 0.68+/-0.60, 1.07+/-0.91, and 0.41+/-0.42 mm in the surgical control, buffer control, and the chitosan group, respectively. The amount of cementum regeneration was 1.42+/-0.49, 1.60+/-0.41, and 3.46+/-0.78 mm in the surgical control, buffer control, and the chitosan group, respectively. A significant difference was seen between the chitosan group and the rest (p<0.01). The amount of alveolar bone regeneration was 1.00+/-0.77, 1.52+/-0.37, and 2.43+/-0.44 mm in the surgical control, buffer control, and the chitosan group, respectively. A significant difference was observed between the chitosan group and the rest (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate the beneficial effect of the chitosan/cs on the one-wall intrabony defects of beagle dogs. The inhibited apical migration of epithelium and the increase in the amount of new bone and new cementum suggest the potency of chitosan in inducing periodontal tissue regeneration.