Effect of implants on healing of experimental furcation defects in dogs

The present study was performed to find out whether implants placed around periodontally involved teeth during reconstructive surgery would support replaced flaps and prolong gingival coverage of the treated root surfaces facilitating new attachment. Through-and-through furcation defects were made in the mandibular second, third, and fourth premolars of 10 beagle dogs. Bone was surgically removed from the furcation and from the circumference of each tooth to a level 3 to 4 mm apical to the cementoenamel junction. Steel wires were passed through the furcations and ligated to enhance plaque formation. At 6 weeks, the wires were removed. At 12 weeks, during reconstructive surgery, 4 dogs received implants of autogenous intraoral cancellous bone, 2 of autogenous iliac cancellous bone and marrow, 2 of Proplast, and 2 of Avitene. The results demonstrated that none of 12 teeth implanted with Avitene or Proplast showed new attachment. Only 2 of 6 teeth implanted with autogenous iliac bone showed new attachment, combined with extensive root resorption and ankylosis. Of 12 teeth implanted with autogenous intraoral bone, 6 showed new attachment. Our findings suggest that flap support by intraoral cancellous bone implants may facilitate new attachment. A more predictable technique, however, needs to be developed.