Western Society of Periodontics

Clinical Studies

Volume Number 3, 1995

Clinical and radiographical split-mouth study on resorbable versus non-resorbable GTR membranes

The aim of this study was to compare the healing results five months after implantation of the Polyglactin-910 membranes and the established e-PTFE membranes. Twelve patients participated in this study. Selection criteria were class I to III furcations and vertical two- and three-wall lesions. Split-mouth design was used in the study. The vertical relative attachment gain (V-rag) was calculated as a percentage of the bony defect depth at baseline, and the horizontal relative attachment gain (H-rAG) as a percentage of the furcation depth at baseline. Digital subtraction radiography was used as a test parameter for bone change. The results revealed that both membranes achieved an attachment gain. No statistically significant difference between the two membranes could be detected with regard to V-rAG or to H-rAG, or to bone changes using conventional and subtraction radiography. In conclusion, the Polyglactin-910 membrane provided attachment gain comparable to the e-PTFE membrane and may be a useful alternative to the e-PI FE membranes. [S.L.]