Human intrabony lesion responses to debridement, porous hydroxyapatite implants and teflon barrier membranes. 7...

7 vertical lesions at 7 teeth in 3 adults with severe periodontitis were treated using open surgical debridement, porous hydroxyapatite grafts and placement of a barrier membrane. Roots were notched at both gingival margins and deepest visible calculus. Flaps were sutured coronally and patients were placed on 0.12% chlorohexidine gluconate twice daily for 2 weeks, post-surgery. Patients returned frequently for plaque control until block removal at 16 to 28 weeks post-surgery. 1 additional block was harvested after 28 weeks. The latter site received root planing only and closed by epithelial adhesion. In the 7 experimental sites, clinical responses were uneventful, and gain in clinical closure varied from 1.7 to 5.0 mm (average = 3.6 mm). Histologically, 2 sites exhibited closure by a long junctional epithelium. The remaining 5 sites showed gingival recession to be apical to the calculus notch or the calculus notch to be epithelialized. However, apical to the notch and within the osseous crater, cellular cementum deposition was marked as was increased bone mass. The increase in bone mass was the result of osteogenesis within the surrounding graft particles which often fused with osseous seams of the crater. A functionally-oriented PDL was seen usually at these sites.