ABSTRACT
The purpose of this 6-months study was to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes following guided tissue regeneration treating human mandibular Class II furcation defects with a bioabsorbable BioMesh barrier(test treatment) or a non-absorbable ePTFE barrier(control treatment). Fourteen defects in 14 patients(mean age 44 years) were treated with BioMesh barriers and ten defects in 10 patients(mean age 48 years) with ePTFE barriers. After initial therapy, a GTR procedure was done. Following flap elevation, root planing, and removal of granulation tissue, each device was adjusted to cover the furcation defect. The flaps were repositioned and sutured to complete coverage of the barriers. A second surgical procedure was performed at control sites after 4 to 6 weeks to remove the nonresorbable barrier. Radiographic and clinical examinations(plaque index, gingival index, tooth mobility, gingival margin position, pocket depth, clinical attachment level) were carried out under standardized conditions immediately before and 6 months after surgery. Furthermore, digital subtraction radiography was carried out. All areas healed uneventfully. Surgical treatment resulted in clinically and statistically equivalent changes when comparisons were made between test and control treatments. Changes in plaque index were 0.7 for test and 0.4 for control treatments; changes in gingival index were 0.9 and 0.5. In both group gingival margin position and pocket depth reduction was 1.0mm and 3.0mm; clinical attachment level gain was 1.9mm. There were no changes in tooth mobility and the bone in radiographic evaluation. No significant(p< or =0.05) difference between the two membranes could be detected with regard to plaque index, gingival index, gingival margin position, pocket depth, and clinical attachment level. In conclusion, a bioabsorbable BioMesh membrane is effective in human mandibular Class II furcation defects and a longer period study is needed to fully evaluate the outcomes.