PLATELET-DERIVED GROWTH-FACTOR AND DEXAMETHASONE COMBINED WITH A COLLAGEN MATRIX INDUCE REGENERATION OF THE PERIODONTIUM IN MONKEYS

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and the glucocorticoid dexametha sone combined with a collagen carrier matrix (CM) induced regeneration of the periodontium in monkeys. Regeneration was stringently defined as (1) new cementum, (2 new supra-crestal bone extending coronally fro m the residual alveolar interdental septum and (3) functionally-orient ed periodontal ligament fibers attaching new cementum to new bone. A s ingle application of PDGF/dexamethasone/CM or CM was placed in debride d lesions of experimental periodontitis displaying 3-5 mm of attachmen t loss associated with horizontal and angular bony defects. Regenerati on, judged histologically by these criteria and quantified by computer assisted histomorphometry after 4 weeks, was present only in PDGF/dex amethasone/CM treated lesions and not in those treated with CM or debr idement alone. PDGF/dexamethasone/CM induced 5-fold more new cementum and ligament, and 7-fold more supra-crestal bone than control treatmen ts. The presence of substantial amounts of regenerated periodontium in cluding increased height of the alveolar bone; fill of vertically reso rbed interdental alveolar septa in PDGF/dexamethasone/CM treated lesio ns suggests that this combination may provide a new therapeutic agent for the regeneration of lesions of periodontitis associated with horiz ontal as well as angular bony defects.