A comparison of porous and non-porous teflon membranes plus demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft in the treatment of class II buccal/lingual furcation defects: A clinical reentry study

Background: The aim of this 9-month reentry study was to compare the regene rative healing using porous (P) and nonporous (NP) teflon barrier membranes plus demineralized freeze dried bone allografts (DFDBA) in Class II buccal /lingual furcation defects. Methods: Twenty-four patients, 13 males and 11 females, ages 38 to 75 (mean 54 +/- 10), were included in this study. Each patient had adult periodonti tis and one Class 11 furcation defect measuring greater than or equal to3 m m open horizontal probing depth. Twelve patients were randomly selected to receive the NP treatment and 12 received the P membrane. All defects receiv ed a DFDBA graft. Measurements were performed by a masked examiner. Results: No statistically significant differences (P >0.05) were found betw een NP and P groups at any time with respect to any open or closed measure. Improvement in mean open horizontal probing depth was significant for both the NP (2.33 +/- 0.78 mm) and P (2.75 +/- 0.75 mm) groups. Mean clinical a ttachment level gains at 9 months were significant for both NP (1.50 +/- 1. 62 mm) and P (2.50 +/- 2.11 mm) groups. Seventeen of 24 defects had an intr abony component and greater than or equal to 50% fill was obtained in 100% of these defects. Conclusions: The results of this 9-month reentry study comparing the use of porous and non-porous barrier membranes with a DFDBA graft indicate that t here were no statistically significant differences between groups. Both gro ups showed a statistically significant improvement following the treatment of Class II furcation defects in humans.