Multi-center evaluation of bioabsorbable collagen membrane for guided tissue regeneration in human class II furcations
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the use of processed bovine tendon type I collagen as a GTR device in human periodontal class II defects treated as part of a multicenter trial. Seven treatment centers evaluated one of the two possible treatment pairs, either bioabsorbable collagen membrane (COLL) versus control surgical debridement (DEBR), or COLL versus expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). After the initial preparation and reevaluation, full-thickness flaps were reflected, the defect was debrided, and the root was planed. Furcations and associated bony defects in each patient were randomly assigned to one of the two treatments in each pair, and the flaps were closed. Patients received quarterly periodontal maintenance until surgical reentry at 6 to 12 months.
As a result of the treatment, COLL showed better results than DEBR for vertical defect fill, percentage of defect resolution, and horizontal furcation fill. When COLL was compared with ePTFE in furcations across patients, no differences were found. Both COLL and ePTFE resulted in an improvement in clinical furcation class about 50% of the time. COLL barrier resulted in generally favorable clinical results in furcation defects, appeared to be better than DEBR alone, and was at least similar to and often better than ePTFE. [M.R.]
Yukna, C.N., and R.A. Yukna, J Periodont, 67:650, 1996