Matherson, D. An evaluation of healing following periodontal osseous surgery in monkeys. Int J Perio Rest Dent, 5:8, 1988.

Aims

This work was conducted in order to determine the maintenance of surgically produced osseous contour in monkeys and the influence of the resultant bony profile on overlying soft tissue morphology. Two questions were asked: (1) will postoperative resorption lead to a permanent and significant reduction in bone height, or will there be coronal regeneration in the healing process, and (2) will the surgically produced osseous contour be maintained?

Materials and Methods

3 monkeys were used in the study. Each quadrant on each animal received a flap curettage, interdental osteoplasty, osseous resection, and one quadrant was left unoperated. Animals received oral hygiene twice a week for the time of the experiment. One animal was killed 1 week following surgery, 1 at 4 months and 1 at 6 months. Macroscopic evaluation was done by means of a three-dimensional Plexiglas reconstruction and a wax model reconstruction. Measurements were taken as shown on page. 14. Microscopic evaluation of the specimens was also performed.

Results

1. Radicular areas:
   • postoperative position of the crest is dependent on the amount of supporting bone between cortical plate and alveolar bone. The greatest amount of crest regeneration and reattachment occurred in all palatal areas and in the maxillary premolar vestibular region.
   • the surgically produced osseous morphology has been maintained in every radicular area regardless of the position of the alveolar crest.
   • although the bone does appear thinner, elevation and replacement of full thickness flaps does not appear to significantly alter the 6-month postoperative level of the alveolar crest.
   • similar amounts of soft tissue exhibited morphologic differences and overly resected and control radicular areas, indicating a relationship between radicular bone contour and soft tissue architecture.
2. Interdental areas:
   • surgically produced osseous morphology is maintained in interdental areas. Osseous resection in conjunction with recontouring procedures appears to be more effective in maintaining surgical contour than is interdental plasty alone.
   • interdental osteoplasty does not alter the morphology of the col.
   • following osseous resection, the interdental soft tissue reflect the underlying osseous contour when sufficient interproximal space exists between the contact area and the level of the alveolar process.

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