Am. Polson et al., INITIAL STUDY OF GUIDED TISSUE REGENERATION IN CLASS-II FURCATION DEFECTS AFTER USE OF A BIODEGRADABLE BARRIER, The International journal of periodontics & restorative dentistry, 15(1), 1995, pp. 43-55
This study evaluated guided tissue regeneration in Class II furcation
defects after use of a polylactic acid biodegradable barrier in nine p
atients with mandibular molar defects. Following an initial hygienic p
hase, surgical flaps were elevated, and the sites were scaled and root
planed. Defect perimeter was measured, and a customized barrier (600
to 750 mm thick) that adhered directly to tooth and bone was applied.
At baseline, sites were measured for probing depth (6.2+/-0.5 mm), gin
gival margin location (-0.6+/-0.6 mm), and attachment level both verti
cally (6.9+/-0.7 mm) and horizontally (5.3+/-0.5 mm). Clinically, barr
iers fragmented and became displaced in 3 to 6 weeks. Substantial gran
ulation tissue was sometimes present between barrier and root surfaces
. Six months postsurgery, gingival margin location was close to the pr
esurgical level (-0.4+/-0.8 mm). There was clinically and statisticall
y significant improvement in all other parameters: a mean reduction of
3.1 mm in probing depth, a gain of 3.3 mm in vertical attachment leve
l, and a gain of 3.0 mm in horizontal attachment level. These results
suggested favorable regenerative outcomes.