The periodontal tissues in healed degree III furcation defects. An experimental study in dogs

The aim of the present study was (i) to describe the periodontal tissue that formed in degree III furcation defects in mandibular molars of dogs following GTR therapy and (ii) to compare this healed periodontium to the corresponding tissue of pristine furcations. The study was performed in 10 mongrels dogs. In 6 of the dogs (group A), the 2nd and 4th premolars in both sides of the mandible were extracted 2 months prior to the start of the study. The 4 remaining dogs (group B) were used as normal untreated controls. In the dogs of group A, a furcation defect was produced in the 3rd mandibular premolars and reconstructive surgery was later performed in accordance with the GTR technique. 5 months after reconstructive surgery, all 10 animals (groups A+B) were sacrificed and perfused with a solution of 10% neutral, buffered formalin through the carotid arteries. Tissue blocks containing the experimental teeth were excised, demineralized in EDTA, embedded in paraffin. Serial sections were cut in the mesiodistal plane and parallel with the long axis of the roots. The microtome was set at 7 microns. The sections were stained in hematoxyline and eosin or Van Gieson's connective tissue staining. From each biopsy, 3 sections, 14 microns apart, and representing the central part of the furcation, were selected for light microscopic examination. In the healed furcation sites, histometric and morphometric measurements were performed at different levels (zones), either at the mesial or distal root surfaces; (zone 1) immediately apical of the notch; (zone 2) coronal to the notch where the newly formed alveolar bone was in continuity with the reduced bone crest; (zone 3) coronal to the notch; representing the most coronally positioned area of new bone formation; (zone 4) coronal to the notch; representing areas with no alveolar bone present. In the pristine furcation sites, the measurements were made at zones which corresponded to the location of the zones in the healed furcations. The present data demonstrated that all furcation sites in group A after 5 months of healing exhibited comprehensive de novo cementum formation in the previously exposed parts of the intraradicular root surfaces, and that collagen fibers invested in the newly formed cementum. Comparisons between the pristine and the healed furcations disclosed that the periodontal ligament of the healed furcations was poorly organised, and that bone formation was frequently incomplete.