SYNTHETIC BIOABSORBABLE BARRIER FOR REGENERATION IN HUMAN PERIODONTALDEFECTS

GUIDED TISSUE REGENERATION (GTR) may result in the formation of new bo ne, cementum, and periodontal ligament. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a resorbable synthetic material, which has b een used extensively in general surgery for wound support, to promote GTR. Forty healthy patients with adult periodontitis, each having a Cl ass II furcation defect, participated in the study. After initial ther apy, mucoperiosteal flaps were elevated and furcations debrided with h and and rotary instruments. In 20 patients the molar Class II furcatio n defects were treated with a GTR procedure using the resorbable synth etic material (experimental), and 20 patients received a mucoperiostea l flap debridement procedure without barrier placement (control). Prob ing depth and attachment level measurements were taken immediately bef ore surgery, at 6 weeks, and 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 months after surgery. A ll areas healed uneventfully. Comparison of clinical attachment level measurements indicated significantly greater gain of attachment at sit es receiving barriers. Fifteen of 20 Class II furcations in the synthe tic barrier group, but only one of 20 in the control group, were conve rted to Class I defects. Barriers were still clinically detectable at 4 weeks, but were absent at 6 weeks. The synthetic barriers enhanced g ain of clinical attachment in human Class II furcation defects.