EFFECT OF A COLLAGEN MATRIX ON HEALING IN PERIODONTAL FENESTRATION DEFECTS IN DOGS

CONTRALATERAL PERIODONTAL FENESTRATION DEFECTS in seven beagle dogs we re used to evaluate influence of a collagen matrix on periodontal woun d healing. The defects (6 x 4 mm) were created through the buccal cort ical plates of the maxillary canine teeth following elevation of mucop eriosteal flaps. The collagen was fitted to the defects on one side. C ontralateral defects served as controls. Flaps were repositioned and s utured. Dogs were sacrificed 4 weeks after surgery and block sections including teeth and surrounding structures were prepared for histometr ic analysis. No meaningful differences in cementum and bone regenerati on were observed between treatments. There was seemingly more bone reg eneration in the apical than in the coronal aspect of the defects and significantly more cementum regeneration. Root resorption was observed in one collagen and one control defect. Ankylosis was not observed. T he results suggest that the maxillary canine periodontal fenestration defect can be used as a model to evaluate factors that may enhance cem entum and bone regeneration. The collagen matrix neither enhanced nor inhibited periodontal wound healing in this model.