Periodontal repair in dogs: Space provision by reinforced ePTFE membranes enhances bone and cementum regeneration in large supraalveolar defects
This study evaluated the effects of space provision on regeneration of alveolar bone and cementum in large supraalveolar periodontal defects in the beagle dog following reconstructive periodontal surgery. Supraalveolar periodontal defects were surgically created prior to crown reduction to 2 mm coronal to the CEJ. In a split-mouth design, defects in left or right jaw quadrants were randomly assigned to receive ePTFE membranes or serve as surgical controls. The space under the dome-shaped membrane was filled with venous blood from the animal. Wound closure included positioning of flap margins above the teeth and suturing using vertical mattress sutures, leaving the teeth submerged under the flaps. The dogs were sacrificed 8 weeks postsurgery, and block sections were removed and processed for histometric analysis. Results indicated that the mean height of regenerated alveolar bone amounted to 2.9 +/- 0.6 mm and 0.6 +/0.2 mm for membrane and control defects respectively. Corresponding values for bone were 1.4 +/- 0.7 mm and 0.4 +/- 0.4 square mm. Cementum regeneration was observed in all teeth averaging 1.6 +/- 0.3 mm for membrane treated and 0.1+/- 0.1 mm for control defects. Thus, this study provides a biologic rationale for space provision for enhanced bone and cementum regeneration in periodontal defects subject to reconstructive therapy. [P.W.]
Sigurdson, T.J., R. Hardwick, G.C. Bogle, and U.M.E. Wikesjo, J Periodont, 65:350, 1994