COMBINED COLLAGEN MEMBRANE AND HYDROXYAPATITE COLLAGEN CHONDROITIN-SULFATE SPACER PLACEMENT IN THE TREATMENT OF 2-WALL INTRABONY DEFECTS INCHRONIC ADULT AND RAPIDLY PROGRESSIVE PERIODONTITIS PATIENTS/

This study confined to non-smokers, evaluated guided-tissue regenerati on in deep 2-wall intrabony defects using a diphenylphosphorylazide-cr oss-linked bovine type I collagen membrane supported by a hydroxyapati te/collagen/chondroitin-sulfate spacer in 43 adult periodontitis (AP) and 14 rapidly progressive periodontitis (RPP) patients, no more than 1 defect being randomly selected for each patient. Before surgery and 6 months after surgery, plaque (PI) and sulcus bleeding (SBI) indices. probing pocket depths (PPD), gingival margin locations (CML) and prob ing attachment levels (PAL) were recorded. During the post-surgical pe riod, the biomaterials were well tolerated in all patients and PI and SBI were kept at a low level, Following therapy, there was a significa nt gain in PAL (4.2 mm for AP; 3 mm for RPP) and reduction in PPD (6.1 mm for AP; 4.7 mm for RPP) for both groups of patients (p < 0.05). A significantly greater gain in PAL (4.2 mm for AP; 3 mm for RPP) and re duction in PPD (6.1 mm for AP; 4.7 mm for RPP) for both groups of pati ents (p < 0.05). A significantly greater gain in PAL and reduction in PPD were observed for AP compared to RPP patients (p < 0.05). The chan ge in GML was not statistically different between groups (1.8 mm for A P; 1.6 mm for RPP). It is concluded that the combined use of a dipheny lphosphorylazide-cross-linked bovine type-I collagen membrane, support ed by a hydroxyapatite/collagen/chondroitin-sulfate spacer, is benefic ial in improving PAL and reducing PPD in 2-wall intrabony defects in b oth AP and RPP patients during the quiescent phase of the disease, wit h statistically better results for the former group. However, longer o bservation periods are necessary to evaluate the stability of the impr ovements obtained by this combined treatment approach between and for each group of patients.