PERIODONTAL HEALING AFTER GUIDED TISSUE REGENERATION WITH ATRISORB BARRIERS IN BEAGLE DOGS

Periodontal healing after use of Atrisorb barrier material (polylactic acid) for guided tissue regeneration was studied in the premolar and molar teeth of six beagle dogs. Defects studied were surgically induce d or were caused by naturally occurring periodontitis. Barriers fragme nted and became displaced in 2 to 5 weeks after application. Granulati on tissue was sometimes present between the barrier and roof surface a t 10 days to 4 weeks. Several sites were surgically reentered at 4 mon ths, and new bone covered 60% to 100% of the formerly exposed furcatio ns and root surfaces. sites obtained for histologic evaluation 9 to 12 months after the baseline surgery showed new connective tissue attach ment cementum, and alveolar bone. Histomorphometric analyses quantitat ed these tissue changes, and new connective tissue attachment covered 72% of surgically exposed root surfaces and 77% of periodontitis-expos ed root surfaces. it was concluded that new periodontal supporting tis sues became reconstituted on root and furcation surfaces after use of the Atrisorb barrier material for GTR.