A technique for treatment of extensive periodontal defects: a case study

This case study describes the use of oxidized cellulose mesh to improve healing of periodontal defects of poor regenerative capacity. Circumferential defects with horizontal bone loss were treated by surgical exposure of the root surface followed by scaling and root planing. Prior to flap replacement, oxidized cellulose mesh was positioned in incremental layers over the defects so as to replace the lost alveolar bone. It was to act also as a barrier to the ingress of epithelial cells and gingival fibroblasts into the healing wound using the principles vof guided tissue regeneration. Healing was good, with minimal post-operative recession. Whether regeneration of alveolar bone and periodontal ligament occurred as a result of using this technique could not be determined in this clinical case study.