Synthetic bioabsorbable barrier for regeneration in human periodontal defects

Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) may result in the formation of new bone, cementum, and periodontal ligament. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a resorbable synthetic material, which has been used extensively in general surgery for wound support, to promote GTR. Forty healthy patients with adult periodontitis, each having a Class II furcation defect, participated in the study. After initial therapy, mucoperiosteal flaps were elevated and furcations debrided with hand and rotary instruments. In 20 patients the molar Class II furcation defects were treated with a GTR procedure using the resorbable synthetic material (experimental), and 20 patients received a mucoperiosteal flap debridement procedure without barrier placement (control). Probing depth and attachment level measurements were taken immediately before surgery, at 6 weeks, and 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 months after surgery. All areas healed uneventfully. Comparison of clinical attachment level measurements indicated significantly greater gain of attachment at sites receiving barriers. Fifteen of 20 Class II furcations in the synthetic barrier group, but only one of 20 in the control group, were converted to Class I defects. Barriers were still clinically detectable at 4 weeks, but were absent at 6 weeks. The synthetic barriers enhanced gain of clinical attachment in human Class II furcation defects.