PARTICULATE BIOGLASS(R) AS A GRAFTING MATERIAL IN THE TREATMENT OF PERIODONTAL INTRABONY DEFECTS

The present clinical trial was designed to evaluate the effects of a b ioactive glass, Perioglas(R), in the treatment of periodontal intrabon y defects. 20 patients, 23-55 years of age (44 sites), with intrabony defects completed the 1-year study. Teeth with furcation involvement w ere excluded, After completion of initial therapy: defects were random ly assigned to either a test or control procedure. Following flap refl ection, root planing and removal of chronic inflammatory tissue in bot h groups, the test defects were restored with the bioactive glass part iculate material. Mucoperiosteal flaps were replaced, sutured and a pe riodontal dressing was used. All the patients received postoperative a ntibiotics and analgesics and were seen at 1 week for suture removal. Follow-up was then carried out weekly and at 3 months, 6 months, 9 mon ths and 1 par post-surgery Plaque score, bleeding score, probing pecke r depth (PPD), probing attachment level (PAL) and gingival recession w ere recorded at baseline, 3 months and 1 year. Standardised radiograph s for computer-assisted densitometric image analysis (CADIA) were take n at baseline, immediately post-operatively and at I year. The CADIA d ata showed a significant increase (F-ratio: 15.67, p<0.001) in radiogr aphic density and volume between the defects treated with the Periogla s(R) when compared to those treated with surgical debridement only. PP D and PAL showed significant improvements in both experimental and con trol sites, with a greater trend to improvement in the experimental si tes. It was concluded that this bioactive glass is effective as an adj unct to conventional surgery in the treatment of intrabony defects.