[Guided tissue regeneration for the treatment of different periodontal defects. A clinical study]

In 31 patients we implanted a teflon membrane (Gore-Tex) during flap operation for a duration of 6 weeks. The periodontal situation was assessed clinically and radiographically 1-1.5 years after surgery. The study comprised 18 upper and lower molars with furcation involvement and 15 single-rooted teeth with a 2-wall-, 3-wall- or combined bony defect. Clinical gain of attachment only occurred in furcation class II lesions (upper molars + 2.3 mm, lower molars + 2.5 mm), whereas the attachment level was unchanged in "through and through" furcation defects in the upper jaw and loss of attachment was observed at lower molars with class III furcations. In single-rooted teeth the gain of attachment varied between 0.5 and 8.5 mm, depending on the proportions of the defect and the number of the surrounding bony walls.