COMPARISON OF BIOABSORBABLE LAMINAR BONE MEMBRANE AND NON-RESORBABLE EPTFE MEMBRANE IN MANDIBULAR FURCATIONS

THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY was to compare clinical parameter changes an d osseous regeneration in 12 pairs of comparable Class II mandibular m olar furcation invasion defects using either a bioabsorbable demineral ized laminar bone allograft membrane or a non-resorbable expanded poly tetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane as a barrier in guided tissue reg eneration. Measurements with calibrated periodontal probes were made t o determine soft tissue recession, probing depth, and attachment level s. Defects within each pair were randomly selected for treatment with either bioabsorbable demineralized bone allograft membrane or ePTFE me mbrane. All defects were concurrently grafted with particulate deminer alized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA). Additional measurements we re made at surgery to determine crestal resorption and the vertical an d horizontal dimensions of the osseous defects. The temporal course an d extent of membrane exposures were also recorded. The non-resorbable membrane was retrieved 6 weeks following placement. Six months followi ng initial surgical treatment, each site was surgically re-entered and all soft and hard tissue measurements repeated. Descriptive statistic al analysis revealed that both treatments resulted in significant with in-group mean vertical and horizontal osseous fill, but no statistical difference emerged between the groups. As based on this pilot study, laminar bone membrane may be as effective as ePTFE when used in conjun ction with DFDBA for treatment of Class II mandibular molar furcation bone defects. This pilot study of low power suggests that these two ma terials may be equivalent when used in conjunction with DFDBA. Further studies of much higher power and of the laminar bone alone as compare d to positive and negative controls are required. Laminar bone does no t require a secondary surgical procedure for removal and may undergo l ess frequent instances and degrees of exposure during healing.