Guided Tissue Regeneration and Bone Grafts in the Treatment of Furcation Defects

The present study evaluated the effects of guided tissue regeneration (GTR), with and without demineralized freeze-dried cortical bone grafts, in the treatment of furcation defects in 4 female beagle dogs with naturally occurring periodontal disease. The root surfaces were thoroughly debrided. Four weeks later, full thickness facial and lingual mucoperiosteal flaps were reflected using inverse bevel incisions on both sides of the mandible involving the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th premolar, and the 1st molar teeth. Following debridement, notches were placed on the roots at the level of supporting bone. Test quadrants were randomly selected and furcations were filled with reconstituted, demineralized, freeze-dried human cortical bone grafts. Following bone grafting, all defects were covered with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane, which was sutured with 4-0 sutures. Afterward, interproximal sutures were placed through the flaps, assuring the flaps covered the membranes completely. The contralateral side, serving as control, was treated by debridement only and application of ePTFE membrane. All membranes were removed 6 weeks after surgery. Dogs were sacrificed at 4 months after surgery. Both mesio-distal and bucco-lingual histologic sections were evaluated by descriptive histology. Linear measurements and surface area determination of the furcal tissues were carried out using the microscope attached to a digitizer. Twelve to 20 nonserial sections were made of the mid-buccal aspects of each root of each treated tooth. Half of these sections were stained with Harris' hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and the other half stained with Mallory's trichrome stain. Additionally, another group of 12 to 20 non-serial sections cut in the mesio-distal direction were secured for the surface area measurements of the furcations. Mean values for each dog were obtained for test and control teeth. ANOVA procedure for a split plot design was employed. Periodontal healing following the use of guided tissue regeneration procedures resulted in an increase in connective tissue and alveolar bone regeneration. Adjunctive bone grafting did not appear to enhance regeneration. J Periodontol 1993; 64:1145-1153.