Human gingival tissue response to HTR polymer

Biopsies secured during reentry surgical evaluation of previously treated periodontal osseous defects were examined for gingival tissue response to HTR polymer. Eleven patients provided biopsies of HTR grafted sites 6-7 months after initial implantation. Minimal inflammation and infrequent foreign body giant cells were found. Bone was present in about half of the samples and osteogenesis associated with the HTR graft material was seen in about 20% of the biopsies. Serendipitously, biopsies of other graft materials or debridement only sites from 6-30 months post-treatment were also available for analysis and comparison, and showed similar tissue response. The results of this study suggest that HTR polymer (and other graft materials) is very biocompatible and elicits no untoward gingival tissue responses when placed in periodontal osseous defects.