Effect of Tisseel on healing after periodontal flap surgery

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect on healing of fast and slow absorbable Tisseel in combination with periodontal flap surgery. Mucoperiosteal flaps were raised on the buccal aspect of maxillary premolars and mandibular premolars and first molars in 4 beagle dogs. The underlying buccal, interproximal and inter-radicular bone was then removed to a level of approximately 5 mm apically to the original bone crest and half way into the interdental spaces and bifurcations. The exposed root surfaces were curetted in order to remove the periodontal ligament tissue, and a notch was made in the root surface at the base of the defects. On the control teeth, the flaps were sutured immediately after creation of the defects, while on the test teeth, a layer of fast (group I) or slow (group II) absorbable Tisseel was applied between the curetted roots and the subsurface of the flaps prior to suturing. Postoperatively, the teeth were brushed 2 x weekly. The dogs were sacrificed after 4 months. Histological analysis revealed that the amounts of new attachment and bone regrowth were similar in the test and control groups, although the results tended to be most favorable for the group of teeth treated with fast absorbable Tisseel (Group I).