Guided tissue regeneration: comparison of bioabsorbable and non-bioabsorbable membranes. Histologic and histometric...

This study examined histologic and histometric responses to 2 bioabsorbable membranes made from a synthetic copolymer of glycolide and lactide. They were tested for their biocompatibility, resorption characteristics, and ability to support periodontal regeneration. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) was used as control. Nine fox hound dogs with no periodontal disease were used. They were sedated and their teeth thoroughly scaled and root planed. Plaque control was maintained. Two weeks later, each dog was anesthetized using gas anesthesia. Buccal and lingual mucoperiosteal flaps were reflected in the mandibular premolar areas. Randomly selected, buccal alveolar bone was reduced on the 2nd and 4th premolars to a level 5 to 8 mm apical to the cemento-enamel junction creating a Class II buccal furcation defect on one quadrant, while the other quadrant received a Class II buccal defect only on the 4th premolar. Root surfaces were denuded of periodontal ligament and cementum, and notches were placed at the bone level of each root. In one quadrant, one site received Type I membrane and the other site received Type II. The contralateral quadrant received ePTFE. Flaps were positioned slightly coronally and sutured. Sutures were removed 1 week later. One month after surgery, 3 dogs were sacrificed and ePTFE barriers were removed from the remaining 6 dogs. Of these, 3 were sacrificed 3 months after surgery and the other 3 at 6 months. Undemineralized experimental tissues were embedded in methylmethacrylate and 8 to 10 microns thick sections were cut in a bucco-lingual direction throughout the mesiodistal extension of the tooth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)