Periodontal guided tissue regeneration with a new resorbable polylactic acid membrane

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of 3 types of biodegradable, high molecular weight DL-lactic acid (PLA) membranes containing respectively 0%, 10%, and 30% low molecular weight oligomers for obtaining guided tissue regeneration following treatment of experimental buccal periodontal defects created surgically in 6 young adult beagle dogs. On the buccal aspects of test and control teeth, a mucoperiostal flap was raised and the buccal alveolar bone removed. The exposed root surfaces were scaled and a notch was prepared in the root surface at the level of the reduced crest. PLA membranes containing respectively 0%, 10% and 30% oligomers, drawn at random, were placed over the experimental defects, while no membrane was placed over the control roots. The animals were sacrificed 2, 4, and 6 months after surgery. For comparison between control sites (without membrane) and experimental sites (with 3 types of membrane), serial bucco-lingual sections were made of the experimental and control sites and studied histologically and histometrically. It appeared that a satisfactory regeneration of the periodontal tissues could be obtained with all 3 types of experimental PLA membranes and statistically significant differences could be observed for epithelial attachment, alveolar bone regrowth, connective tissue attachment, and new cementum formation in the experimental group when compared with the controls. All 3 types of membranes were well tolerated. The resorption of the membranes started in the coronal portions and extended progressively in an apical direction and the resorption time seemed to be related to the content of oligomers. PLA membranes could be used as interesting alternatives for GTR in advanced human periodontal lesions.