Retardation of epithelial migration in monkeys using a carbon dioxide laser: an animal study

Obtaining a connective tissue attachment to the root surface following a mucoperiosteal flap surgery has been a goal of periodontal therapy for a long time. The objective of this study was to examine whether controlled de-epithelialization with the CO2 laser would retard the apical migration of the epithelium and thereby increase the amount of connective tissue attachment. Elastics were placed on the maxillary premolars and incisors of 7 cynomolgus monkeys to create periodontal defects. Open flap debridement was performed on each side. On the experimental side, the oral epithelium was removed by CO2 laser irradiation. This report describes the 3 specimens at 7, 14, and 28 days respectively. On the control side sulcular epithelium was seen at 14 days. Sulcular epithelium was first seen on the test side at 28 days. For all specimens over 7 days, there was a trend to less epithelium and more connective tissue attachment on the experimental side than on the control side. However, no statistical analysis was possible on this histologic study. The CO2 laser may be a useful tool to retard epithelium and thereby enhance new connective tissue attachment.