GUIDED TISSUE REGENERATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF INTRAOSSEOUS DEFECTS USING A BIOABSORBABLE MEMBRANE - A CONTROLLED CLINICAL-STUDY

The aim of this controlled, clinical study was to evaluate guided tiss ue regeneration using a bioabsorbable membrane in periodontal intraoss eous defects. Forty patients, each contributing one defect greater tha n or equal to 4 mm in depth participated. The control group (18 indivi duals) received conventional flap therapy, while the test group (22 in dividuals) was treated using the bioabsorbable membrane, Guidor(R). Cl inical assessments were made by one examiner, blinded with respect to treatment group, at baseline, 6 and 12 months following surgery. Basel ine probing pocket depths of 7.7+/-1.4 mm in the membrane group and 7. 6+/-1.9 mm in the control group were measured. Twelve month results sh owed a significant clinical attachment level gain in both control(1.1/-1.8 mm), and membrane group (1.3+/-2.1 mm). Probing pocket depth red uction of 2.6+/-1.9 mm and 2.7+/-1.9 mm was observed in the respective groups. Bone sounding showed a non-significant gain of 0.4+/-1.8 mm a nd 0.6+/-1.4 mm at membrane and control sites, respectively. Radiograp hic evaluation confirmed these results. There were no significant diff erences found between treatment groups for any of the tested variables . Smoking had a negative effect on healing in both groups. In conclusi on, clinical and radiographic results indicate that guided tissue rege neration using a bioabsorbable membrane at intraosseous defects did no t predictably achieve greater clinical attachment level gain nor bone gain when compared to conventional flap therapy.