Periodontal regeneration of infrabony defects (V). Effect of oral hygiene on long-term stability

Abstract. The aim of this investigation was to assess the role of supportive periodontal care in the maintenance of clinical attachment gained, after surgical treatment according to the principles of GTR, in deep infrabony defects. Following GTR treatment, 40 deep infrabony defects in 23 patients gained 4.1 mm of probing attachment level (PAL) after 1 year of stringent plaque control. In the subsequent 3 years, 15 patients (22 sites, group A) were recalled every 3 months. In this group, the gained attachment level remained stable. Conversely, 8 patients (18 sites, group B), who received only sporadic care, lost at 4 years, 2.8±2.7 mm of the PAL gained at 1 year. Group A patients had significantly lower full mouth plaque and bleeding scores than group B at 4 years. Furthermore, detection of bleeding on probing, plaque, P. gingivalis and P. intermedia was significantly more frequent in regenerated sites of group B patients. Risk assessment analysis indicated that GTR sites in patients receiving only sporadic care had a 50-fold increase in risk of PAL loss between 1 and 4 years with respect to patients undergoing regular recall. It was concluded that stability of gained clinical attachment was dependent upon stringent oral hygiene.     

Osseous repair in infrabony periodontal defects

The present investigation was undertaken to quantitate the osseous changes which occur throughout the entire circumferential extent of infrabony periodontal defects in patients with optimal plaque control. Fifteen defects were selected in nine patients. Periodontal surgery was scheduled after each patient had shown an ability to practice efficient plaque removal. Muco-periosteal flaps were raised and the osseous defects debrided. The dimensions of each defect were measured at several specific location points within the defect. The flaps were replaced at their original location and, post-operatively, optimal plaque control was maintained in the area (Mean Plaque Index 0.04). Six to 8 months after the initial surgery all areas were re-operated and the osseous defects were remeasured at the same specific location points. Each defect showed osseous regeneration at every location point. The mean initial osseous defect depth at a location point was 3.5 mm and the mean amount of bone regeneration which occurred was 2.5 mm. Crestal alveolar bone resorption occurred at almost half of the location points and averaged 0.7 mm. Eleven of the 15 defects had resolved completely. There were isolated areas where a shallow defect persisted in the remaining four defects. The behavior of an osseous defect throughout its circumferential extent was characterized by a combination of coronal bone regeneration (mean 77%) and marginal bone resorption (mean 18%). Infrabony periodontal defects may predictably remodel after surgical debridement and establishment of optimal plaque control.     

A systematic review of guided tissue regeneration for periodontal infrabony defects

OBJECTIVES: To systematically review the evidence for efficacy of guided tissue regeneration (GTR) for infrabony defects. BACKGROUND: The evidence for the efficacy of GTR has not yet been systematically appraised. METHODS: We searched for randomised controlled trials of at least 12 months' follow-up comparing GTR with open flap debridement (OFD). Data sources included electronic databases, hand-searched journals and contact with experts. Screening, data abstraction and quality assessment were conducted independently by multiple reviewers. The primary outcome measure was gain in clinical attachment. RESULTS: For attachment level change, the weighted mean difference between GTR alone and open flap debridement was 1.11 mm (95% CI: 0.63-1.59), chi-square for heterogeneity 31.4 (9 df ), P < 0.001) and for GTR + bone substitutes was 1.25 mm (95% CI: 0.89-1.61, chi-square for heterogeneity 0.01 (1 df), P = 0.91). The number of sites needed to treat (NNT) for GTR to achieve one extra site gaining 2 mm or more attachment over open flap debridement was 8 (95% CI: 4-33). Heterogeneity between studies was highly statistically significant for all principal comparisons and could not be explained satisfactorily by sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, GTR was more effective than OFD in improving attachment levels. However, there was marked variability between studies and general conclusions about the clinical benefit of GTR are limited by this heterogeneity. Future studies should aim to identify factors associated with achieving consistent benefits over open flap debridement. Open flap surgery should remain the control comparison in these studies.     

Effect of cigarette smoking on periodontal healing following surgical therapy

The influence of cigarette smoking on the outcome of surgical therapy was investigated in 54 patients, 24 of whom were smokers. The patients had moderate to severe periodontitis with persisting diseased pockets after non-surgical therapy. The surgical modality used was the modified Widman flap operation and the pockets under scrutiny were those with an initial probing depth of 4-6 mm. Re-examination was made 12 months following the completion of surgery. The probing depth reduction at the 12-month follow-up was 0.76 +/- 0.36 mm (mean +/- SD) in smokers as compared to 1.27 +/- 0.43 mm in non-smokers. The difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.001) and persisted after accounting for plaque. The results suggest that smoking may impair the outcome of surgical therapy.     

Factors affecting the healing response of intrabony defects following guided tissue regeneration and access flap surgery

Abstract Identification and control of significant factors determining clinical outcomes is of paramount importance to improve expected results of a variety of therapeutic procedures. The aim of this investigation was to identify, with a multivariate approach, factors associated with healing outcomes of 3 penodontal surgical procedures in deep intrabony defects. 45 patients with evidence of deep intrabony defects were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups: access flap (group C), conventional guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with non-resorbable expanded polytetrafluoroethilene (ePTFE) membranes (group B), and GTR with self supporting membranes combined with the modified papilla preservation technique (group A). In both GTR procedures, membranes were positioned coronal to the interproxymal alveolar crest. Primary outcome variables (i.e., probing attachment level gains at 1 year and the amount of newly formed tissue present at membrane removal) were explained in terms of a series of patient, defect morphology and surgical factors, using a multivariate approach. Highly significant treatment effects were observed, indicating that the 3 tested therapeutic modalities resulted in significant differences in primary outcome variables. Detailed analysis assessing the significance of the tested factors in determining the healing outcomes following each procedure was performed with a stepwise elimination approach of non-significant factors. The results indicated that: (i) the need to create and maintain space should be a key objective of regenerative approaches based upon the principles of guided tissue regeneration; (ii) control of patient's oral hygiene and residual periodontal infection in the oral cavity are strongly associated with clinical outcomes of both regenerative and conventional surgical procedures and should receive proper attention.     

Regeneration of infrabony periodontal defects in humans after implantation of allogenic demineralized dentin

Previous studies have suggested that implants of allogenic demineralized dentin might improve bone regeneration and healing in the treatment of infrabony periodontal defects. In order to make a clinical evaluation of this possibility, the material was inserted into 14 infrabony defects in 10 patients undergoing a new attachment operation. Twelve defects in 12 patients served as controls. In half of these cases no grafting material was used and the remaining six defects were filled with autogenous cancellous bone from the jaw. The defects were classified as two-wall and combined three- and two-wall bony defects. Probing from a fix point and periodic identical X-rays were performed before the surgical treatment and 12 months postoperatively. During healing no clinical signs of rejection of the dentin implants were observed, but the soft tissue healing was delayed, probably due to a slow resorption of the dentin implants. After 12 months no statistically significant difference was found between test and control groups regarding the mean coronal displacement of the bottom of the pocket. No conclusive evidence regarding the capacity of allogenic demineralized dentin to induce new connective tissue attachment could be drawn from the present study, but the clinical results, combined with the fact that the dentin implants are time consuming to produce, indicate that this material is not suitable for the treatment of infrabony periodontal defects.     

Comparison of infrabony defects treated with enamel matrix derivative versus guided tissue regeneration with a nonresorbable membrane

AIM: The purpose of the present multicenter clinical trial was to compare the efficacy of two different procedures in the treatment of infrabony defects: guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with nonresorbable membranes and enamel matrix derivative (EMD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six centers participated in this study. Ninety-eight patients with an interproximal infrabony defect were selected. All patients were treated with an initial phase of scaling and root planing, and at the study's baseline the selected defects presented a value of probing depth (PD) > or =6 mm with an infrabony component > or =4 mm. Forty-nine patients were treated with GTR procedures (using ePTFE membranes (Gore-Tex W.L. Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, AZ, USA)) and forty-nine with EMDs (Emdogain (U Biora AB Malm, Sweden)). The efficacy of each treatment modality was investigated through covariance analysis. RESULTS: The patients were reevaluated at one year postop. Probing attachment level (PAL) gain and PD reduction were analyzed. In the Emdogain group the PAL before surgery (PAL 0) and the PD before surgery (PD 0) were respectively 9.9+/-1.4 and 8.5+/-1.6 mm. The PAL gain and the PD reduction at 1 year postsurgery were respectively 4.1+/-1.8 and 5.3+/-1.9 mm. The group of patients treated with membranes showed that PAL 0 and PD 0 were respectively 8.9+/-1.9 and 8.1+/-1.9. The PAL gain was 4.3+/-1.9 mm and the PD reduction was 5.6+/-1.5 mm. The mean PAL gain expressed by percentage (PAL gain/PAL 0) for the group treated with EMD was 41%, while it was 48% for the group treated with GTR. Results from our analysis suggest that there is no statistically significant difference between GTR and EMD treatments in terms of PAL gain, PD reduction and recession variation. Applying the regression model to a group of patients with a PAL 0 > or =8 mm, we observed a better clinical outcome in terms of PAL gain (difference of 0.3 mm) in patients treated with the GTR procedure compared to those treated with EMD. Covariance analysis showed a strong correlation in both groups of patients between PAL gain and full mouth bleeding score, and between PAL gain and defect morphology and depth.     

Impaired healing response of periodontal furcation defects following flap debridement surgery in smokers. A controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present parallel-design, controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the treatment outcome of periodontal furcation defects following flap debridement surgery (FDS) procedure in cigarette smokers compared to non-smokers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After initial therapy, 31 systemically healthy subjects with moderate to advanced periodontitis, who presented at least one Class I or II molar furcation defect, were selected. Nineteen patients (mean age: 40.3 years, 15 males) were smokers (>or=10 cigarettes/day) and 12 patients (mean age: 44.8 years, 3 males) were non-smokers. Full-mouth plaque score (FMPS) and full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS), probing pocket depth (PPD), vertical clinical attachment level (v-CAL), and horizontal clinical attachment level (h-CAL) were assessed immediately before and 6 months following surgery. RESULTS: Overall, statistically significant v-CAL gain was observed in smokers (1.0 +/- 1.3 mm) and non-smokers (1.3+/-1.1 mm), the difference between groups being statistically significant (p=0.0003). In proximal furcation defects, v-CAL gain amounted to 2.3+/-0.7 mm in non-smokers as compared to 1.0+/-1.1 mm in smokers (p=0.0013). At 6 months postsurgery, non-smokers presented a greater h-CAL gain (1.3+/-1.1 mm) than smokers (0.6+/-1.0 mm), with a statistically significant difference between groups (p=0.0089). This trend was confirmed in both facial/lingual (1.4+/-1.0 versus 0.8+/-0.8 mm) and proximal furcation defects (1.2+/-1.3 versus 0.5+/-1.2 mm). The proportion of Class II furcations showing improvement to postsurgery Class I was 27.6% in smokers and 38.5% in non-smokers. After 6 months, 3.4% of presurgery Class I furcation defects in smokers showed complete closure, as compared to 27.8% in non-smokers. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study indicated that (1) FDS produced clinically and statistically significant PPD reduction, v-CAL gain, and h-CAL gain in Class I/II molar furcation defects, and (2) cigarette smokers exhibited a less favorable healing outcome following surgery in terms of both v-CAL and h-CAL gain.     

Effects of platelet-rich fibrin on human periodontal ligament fibroblasts and application for periodontal infrabony defects

Background: Platelet‐rich fibrin (PRF) by Choukroun’s technique is derived from an autogenous preparation of concentrated platelets. Little is known about the effects of PRF on periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) and the application of PRF for periodontal regeneration. Methods: PDLFs were derived from healthy individuals undergoing extraction for orthodontic reasons. Blood collection was carried out from healthy volunteers. PRF was obtained from a table centrifuge centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 12 minutes. The effects of PRF on PDLFs were determined by measuring the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase (p‐ERK), osteoprotegerin (OPG) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Moreover, we retrospectively examined the feasibility and safety of reconstructing the periodontal infrabony defects with PRF in six patients. Results: PRF was found to increase ERK phosphorylation and OPG in PDLFs in a time‐dependent manner (p < 0.05). ALP activity was also significantly upregulated by PRF (p < 0.05). Application of PRF in infrabony defects exhibited pocket reduction and clinical attachment gain after six months. Periapical radiography revealed radiographic defect filled in grafted teeth. Conclusions: The enhancement of p‐ERK, OPG and ALP expression by PRF may provide benefits for periodontal regeneration. Clinical and radiologic analysis showed that the use of PRF is an effective modality for periodontal infrabony defects.     

Guided tissue regeneration with bioabsorbable barriers III 10-year results in infrabony defects

Objective: Evaluation of the 10-year results after GTR-therapy of infrabony defects using two bioabsorbable barriers in a randomized-controlled clinical trial.
Material and Methods: In 15 patients with periodontitis, 15 pairs of infrabony defects were treated. For each patient, one defect received a polydioxanon (test: T) and the other received a polylactide acetyltributyl citrate (control: C) barrier by random assignment. At baseline, 12 and 120 ± 6 months after surgery, the clinical parameters and standardized radiographs were obtained.
Results: Nine patients were available for the 120-month re-examinations. Twelve and 120 ± 6 months after therapy statistically significant ( p 0.004) vertical probing attachment level (PAL-V) gain was found in both groups (T12: 3.9 ± 1.6 mm; T120: 2.4 ± 1.8 mm; C12: 4.0 ± 1.1 mm; C120: 2.4 ± 1.7 mm). From 12 to 120 months both groups experienced PAL-V loss (T: 1.4 ± 1.5 mm, p =0.021; C: 1.6 ± 2.5 mm, p =0.09). After 120 month, two teeth were lost in the control group (one periapical lesion, and one due to unknown reason). The study failed to show statistically significant differences between both groups regarding PAL-V gain 120 months after surgery.
Conclusions: PAL-V gain achieved after GTR therapy in infrabony defects using both bioabsorbable barriers was stable after 10 years in 15 of 22 defects (68%).     

Evaluation of the effect of tooth vitality on regenerative outcomes in infrabony defects

BACKGROUND, AIMS: This investigation was designed to evaluate the null hypothesis of no differences in GTR outcomes in intrabony defects at vital and successfully root-canal-treated teeth. METHOD: 208 consecutive patients with one intrabony defect each were enrolled. Based on tooth vitality, the treated population was divided at baseline into 2 groups: one with 41 non-vital teeth and the other with 167 vital teeth. The 2 groups were similar in terms of patient and defect characteristics. RESULTS: A slight unbalance in terms of depth of the intrabony component was observed in the non-vital group compared to the vital group (6.9+/-2.1 mm versus 6.2+/-2.3 mm, p=0.08). All defects were treated with GTR therapy. At 1 year, the non-vital and the vital groups showed a clinical attachment level (CAL) gain of 4.9+/-2.2 mm and of 4.2+/-2 mm, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p=0.03). To correct for the baseline unbalance in defect depth, data were expressed as a % of clinical attachment level gains with respect to the original intrabony depth of the defect. % CAL gains were 72.8+/-42.2% and 73+/-26.4% for vital and non-vital teeth, respectively: the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.48). Average residual pocket depths were 2.8+/-1 mm in the vital and 2.8+/-0.9 mm in the non-vital group. Tooth vitality was assessed at baseline, at 1-year and at follow-up (5.4+/-2.8 years after surgery): all teeth vital at baseline were still vital at follow-up with the exception of 2 teeth that received endodontic treatment for reconstructive reasons and for caries. At follow-up visit, the difference in CAL with respect to 1-year measurements was -0.9+/-0.8 mm in the vital group and -0.7+/-0.8 mm in the non-vital group, indicating stability of the regenerated attachment at the majority of sites. CONCLUSIONS: Data from this study demonstrate that root canal treatment does not negatively affect the healing response of deep intrabony defects treated with GTR therapy; furthermore GTR therapy in deep intrabony defects does not negatively influence tooth vitality.     

New attachment and bone formation in periodontal defects following treatment of submerged roots with guided tissue regeneration

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect on periodontal regeneration of preventing bacterial contamination of the membrane material following the guided tissue regeneration procedure (GTR). Periodontal dehiscence defects were surgically produced in 2 monkeys. In each monkey, 8 of these defects were submerged after resection of the crowns of the teeth and a teflon (Gore-Tex Periodontal Material®) or a polyglactin (Vicryl Mesh®) membrane was adjusted to cover the defect and the exposed root surface. 4 defects on non-crown resected teeth were treated with either a teflon or a polyglactin membrane positioned with the coronal border approximately 2 mm below the margin of the covering tissue flap. Following 6 months of healing, the animals were sacrificed. Histological evaluation of the specimens revealed that roots which were kept completely covered during the healing period demonstrated new connective tissue attachment and bone formation corresponding to 67–100% of the length of the initial defect depth, whereas the amount of new connective tissue attachment and bone on non-submerged roots ranged between 30–59% and 11–31%, respectively. It seems reasonable to anticipate that it is bacterial contamination of the membrane material which jeopardizes the formation of new connective tissue attachment but in particular bone formation following the GTR-procedure.     

An immunohistochemical study of matrix molecules associated with barrier membrane-mediated periodontal wound healing

Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) is a clinical procedure developed to facilitate periodontal regeneration by using barrier membranes to selectively promote the repopulation of a periodontal defect by periodontal ligament and bone cells at the expense of epithelial and gingival connective tissue cells. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the biological events occurring during membrane mediated periodontal wound healing by examining the immunohistochemical expression of a number of extracellular matrix components in tissues treated via the GTR technique. Experimental periodontal defects were created around the second premolar tooth in 4 dogs and wound closure was achieved by application of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membranes around each tooth and flap positioning coronal to the cementoenamel junction. The dogs were sacrificed after a 4-wk healing period, block dissections of the part of the mandible containing the experimental tooth were obtained and paraffin sections were prepared. Using standard immunohistochemical techniques, the sections were stained with a monoclonal antibody against bone morphogenetic proteins 2 and 4 (BMP-2 and -4) and polyclonal antibodies against collagen I, collagen II, decorin, biglycan, bone sialoprotein, osteopontin and osteocalcin. Collagen I was predominantly localized within the regenerating bone, whereas collagen III staining was more abundant in the soft connective tissues of the defect. Decorin and biglycan staining was faint within the extracellular matrix of the regenerating defect, although both proteoglycans exhibited intense intracellular localization within some of the cells inhabiting the defect. The staining for BMP-2 and -4 was weak within the bone but strong within the extracellular matrix of the regenerating soft tissue. Osteopontin and bone sialoprotein were strongly localized in the regenerating bone and cementum found within the defect. Osteocalcin staining was present in both the regenerating and mature cementum and associated cementoblasts, and it was relatively weaker in the regenerating bone compared to the mature bone. The observed pattern of immunolocalization of the extracellular matrix macromolecules suggests that the heterogeneous cell population filling the GTR wound had created an environment that was conducive to periodontal regeneration.     

Guided tissue regeneration in the treatment of human infrabony defects Clinical, radiographical and microbiological results: a pilot study

Abstract. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical, radiographical and microbiological outcome after using guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with a bioabsorbable membrance, Resolut^$$. Subjects with bilateral infrabony defects at single rooted teeth were selected. A total of 22 teeth, 2 in each 1 of 7 patients and 4 in 2 patients, with probing pocket depth ≥5 mm, 3 months after scaling, participated. At baseline, assessments of plaque and gingival indices, bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth and probing attachment level were recorded and reproducible radiographs for computer-based bone level measurements were taken. Bacterial samples were collected to investigate the presence of periodontitts-assoctated bacteria, e.g., Porphyrnmonas$$Prevotella -and Fusobactrium -like micro-organisms. One tooth was randomly treated with GTR and the contralateral With an open debridement procedure as a control. Clinical, radiographical and microbiological examinations were repeated 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Both procedures demonstrated a siatistically significant improvement of gingival conditions, reduction of pocket depths and gain of attachment. When evaluating the differences between test and control teeth, none of the clinical parameters yielded statistical differerence. Computer-based bone-level measurements showed only small differences in the majority of both test and control sites. The differences were not significant. Periodontitis-associated bacteria were present at baseline, but the appearance was not related to any specific site or patient and did not demonstrate and unwanted change in the 6- and 12- month samples. The findings suggest that the clinical, radiographical and microbiological improvements were not significantly enhanced with the GTR therapy.     

Molar furcation involvement associated with cigarette smoking in periodontal referrals

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between cigarette smoking and furcation involvement in molar teeth. A consecutive group of 50 smokers were recruited from referrals to a periodontal clinic and age and gender matched with never smokers. Smokers consumed an average of 18.0 (SD 6.7) cigarettes per day and had smoked for 20.7 (SD 6.5) years. Radiographs of all molar teeth were assessed 2 × by an examiner blinded to the smoking status. Smokers had slightly fewer molar teeth 6.7 (SD 2.6) than the never smokers. 7.3 (SD 2.3), t= 1.2, P=0.22. More smokers (72%) had evidence of furcation involvement than never smokers (36%), χ²=13.0, P=0.0003. The odds ratio for a smoker having 1 molar with furcation involvement was 4.6 (c.i. 2 – 10.6). Smokers had more molars with furcation involvement 1.94 (SD 1.7) compared with never smokers, 0.94 (SD 1.4), t= 3.1. P= 0.003. It is concluded that cigarette smoking is associated with a greater expression of molar furcation involvement in periodontitis affected subjects.     

Healing response of gingival recession defects following guided tissue regeneration procedures in smokers and non-smokers

Abstract This retrospective study evaluated healing response in gingival recession defects following guided tissue regeneration (GTR) in smokers. 22 systemically healthy patients who had been treated for deep (4 mm), buccal. Miller's class I or II gingival recession defects with ePTFE membranes were included. Patients were regarded as smokers if they smoked more than 10 cigarettes/day at the time of surgical procedure. Occasional and former smokers were excluded. 9 patients (6 male, mean age 29 years) were smokers, while 13 patients (4 male, mean age 35 years) were non smokers. Clinical parameters, recorded pre surgery and at 6 months post surgery. included defect-specific plaque (DPI) and bleeding on probing (BoP) scores, recession depth (RD). probing depth (PD). clinical attachment level (CAL). and keratinized tissue width (KG). Extent of membrane exposure (ME) and newly formed tissue (NFT) gain were assessed at membrane removal. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between smokers and non-smokers in demographic and pre surgery defect characteristics. DPI and BoP scores were similar pre surgery and remained almost unchanged thorough out the observation interval in both groups. ME was significantly greater in smokers (2.6±1.4 mm) than in non smokers (1.3±0.6 mm). NFT gain was 2.8±1.0 mm in smokers and 3.6±1.4 mm in non-smokers, the difference being not statistically significant. Smokers showed significantly less RD reduction and root coverage (2.5±1.2 mm and 57%, respectively) compared to non-smokers (3.6±1.1 mm and 78%, respectively). In conclusion, the results indicate that treatment outcome following GTR in gingival recession defects is impaired in cigarette smokers.     

Open flap debridement and guided tissue regeneration after 10 years in infrabony defects

Objective: Evaluation of the 10-year results after open flap debridement (OFD) and guided tissue regeneration (GTR) therapy of infrabony defects in a randomized controlled clinical trial.
Materials and Methods: In 16 periodontitis patients OFD or polylactide acetyltributyl citrate barriers (GTR; n =23) were assigned randomly to 44 infrabony defects. In a subgroup of 10 patients exhibiting 2 contra-lateral defects each OFD and GTR was assigned to either side (split-mouth). At baseline, 12, and 120 ± 12 months after surgery clinical parameters were obtained.
Results: Fifteen patients (41 defects) were available at 120 months. Twelve and 120 ± 12 months after therapy both groups showed statistically significant ( p <0.01) attachment gain (split-mouth: OFD: 12 months: 3.60 ± 2.67 mm; 120 months: 3.65 ± 3.36 mm; GTR: 12 months: 3.50 ± 1.90 mm; 120 months: 2.85 ± 2.24 mm; parallel: OFD: 12 months: 3.47 ± 2.80 mm; 120 months: 3.41 ± 2.75 mm; GTR: 12 months: 3.67 ± 2.11 mm; 120 months: 2.89 ± 2.12 mm). From 12 to 120 months both groups experienced insignificant attachment changes, however, six teeth (two OFD, four GTR) were lost (all for prosthodontic reasons). The study failed to show statistically significant attachment gain differences between both groups after 120 months.
Conclusions: Ten years after OFD and GTR in infrabony defects 35 of 41 teeth were still in place.     

Guided tissue regeneration procedure with bioresorbable membranes versus conventional flap surgery in the treatment of infrabony periodontal defects

AIM: Claims are being made that clinical results of periodontal flap surgery are enhanced when membranes are employed to aid GTR in intrabony pockets. It was the aim of our study to determine whether this assumption was true for a certain bioresorbable membrane (Guidor Matrix Barrier). METHOD: 44 intrabony defects were treated in 16 patients. In 21 lesions, conventional flap surgery only was performed, while in 23, similar lesion membranes were placed as an additional treatment task. Results were evaluated over a time span of 12 months. RESULTS: In all surgical areas, treatment resulted in significant improvement of parameters such as attachment levels and probing depths, as well as index values for plaque and bleeding on probing. This occurred whether membranes had been used or not, without any significant differences when comparing the collective results of both treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Placement of membranes during periodontal surgery for the enhancement of tissue regeneration in intrabony pockets is often both difficult and time consuming. In the light of our clinical results with resorbable membranes, such extra effort seems hardly warranted.     

120 infrabony defects treated with regenerative therapy: long-term results

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the long‐term benefits of regenerative therapy and which factors (i.e., smoking, oral hygiene, radiographic angle, tooth, clinical center, and biomaterial) influence results. Methods: A total of 120 infrabony defects were treated with guided tissue regeneration using bioabsorbable and non‐resorbable membranes with grafts or enamel matrix derivative (EMD) proteins. At baseline, smoking, x‐ray angle, probing depth (PD), recession, and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded. CAL was measured 1 year post‐surgery and every 2 years for ≤16 years. The participation of patients in oral hygiene protocols was recorded. Results: The mean ± SD baseline CAL was 8.5 ± 2.3 mm, baseline PD was 7.8 ± 2.1 mm, and baseline x‐ray angle was 31.8° ± 8.9°. One year post‐surgery, CAL gain was 4.1 ± 2.1 mm. EMD was used in 47 defects, bioabsorbable membranes with deproteinized bovine bone were used in 41 cases, non‐resorbable membranes were used in seven defects, bioabsorbable membranes and autogenous bone were used in five defects, and a combination was used in 20 defects. A total of 10% of subjects were smokers, and 20% of subjects did not participate in an oral hygiene program. The average follow‐up was 9 years. A total of 90% teeth survival was achieved at 13 years, and CAL gain was maintained at 82% for 11 years. Statistical analyses demonstrated that smoking and oral hygiene maintenance influenced long‐term outcomes. The x‐ray angle, tooth, clinical center, and biomaterials did not influence results. Conclusions: Regenerative therapy provided a high percentage of long‐term success. Smoking and non‐participation in oral hygiene maintenance negatively influenced the prognosis, whereas other factors did not affect long‐term results.