Digital subtraction radiographic analysis of the combination of bioabsorbable membrane and bovine morphogenetic protein pool in human periodontal infrabony defects

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the bone density gain and its relationship with the periodontal clinical parameters in a case series of a regenerative therapy procedure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using a split-mouth study design, 10 pairs of infrabony defects from 15 patients were treated with a pool of bovine bone morphogenetic proteins associated with collagen membrane (test sites) or collagen membrane only (control sites). The periodontal healing was clinically and radiographically monitored for six months. Standardized pre-surgical and 6-month postoperative radiographs were digitized for digital subtraction analysis, which showed relative bone density gain in both groups of 0.034 ± 0.423 and 0.105 ± 0.423 in the test and control group, respectively (p>0.05). RESULTS: As regards the area size of bone density change, the influence of the therapy was detected in 2.5 mm² in the test group and 2 mm² in the control group (p>0.05). Additionally, no correlation was observed between the favorable clinical results and the bone density gain measured by digital subtraction radiography (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that the clinical benefit of the regenerative therapy observed did not come with significant bone density gains. Long-term evaluation may lead to a different conclusions.

Biocompatibility evaluation of a new bioresorbable pin for membrane fixation

The aim of this study was to morphometrically analyze the tissue response to a customized pin obtained from devitalized bovine cortical bone (DBCB-pin) implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of rats, as well as to assess its microstructural aspect by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The pins were implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of 20 rats, which were killed at 7, 14, 28 and 60 days (5 rats/period) after implantation. In the subcutaneous tissue, DBCB-pin promoted the formation of a fibrous capsule. At 7 days, capsule showed thickness of 70 ± 3.2 µm with higher density of newly formed capillaries and smaller density of collagen fibers. Between 14 and 60 days, more organized fibrous capsule exhibited smaller thickness (53 ± 5.5 µm) with higher density of fibroblasts and collagen fibers. In this period, a small and slow bioresorption of the DBCB-pin by macrophages and rare multinucleated giant cells without tissue damage was observed. The thickness of DBCB-pin resorbed was in mean only of 9.3 µm. During all experimental periods not occurred presence of immune reaction cells as lymphocytes and plasma cells. It was concluded that the pin derived from cortical bovine bone was well tolerated by subcutaneous tissue of rats and slowly resorbed could be an alternative material for membrane fixation in the guided tissue regeneration procedures.

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar morfometricamente a resposta tecidual a um pino obtido a partir de osso bovino desvitalizado cortical (DBCB pinos) implantado no tecido subcutâneo de ratos, bem como para avaliar o seu aspecto microestrutural por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Os pinos foram implantados no tecido subcutâneo de 20 ratos, que foram sacrificados aos 7, 14, 28 e 60 dias (5 animais / período) após a implantação. No tecido subcutâneo, o pino DBCB promoveu a formação de uma cápsula fibrosa. Aos 7 dias, a cápsula apresentou espessura de 70 ± 3,2 μm com maior densidade de capilares neoformados e menor densidade de fibras colágenas. Entre 14 e 60 dias, a cápsula fibrosa apresentava-se mais organizada e exibiram menor espessura (53 ± 5,5 μm) com maior densidade de fibroblastos e fibras colágenas. Nesse período, foi observada uma bioreabsorção pequena e lenta dos pinos DBCB por macrófagos e raras células gigantes multinucleadas, sem dano tecidual. A espessura dos pinos DBCB reabsorvidos foi em média de apenas 9,3 µm. Durante todos os períodos experimentais não ocorreu presença de células como linfócitos e células plasmáticas. Concluiu-se que o pino derivado de osso bovino cortical foi bem tolerado pelo tecido subcutâneo de ratos e reabsorvido lentamente, sendo um potencial material alternativo para fixação da membrana nos procedimentos de regeneração tecidual guiada.

Clinical evaluation of guided tissue regeneration procedure in the treatment of grade II mandibular molar furcations.

The management of furcation defects remains a challenge in periodontal therapy, Traditionally, furcation therapy involved scaling, rootplaning, furcation plasty and resective techniques. The purpose of this study was to clinically evaluate the potential of guided tissue regeneration in the treatment of mandibular molar grade II furcations using a nonresorbable barrier, TefGen-GTR and compare it with open flap debridement alone. Ten patients with similar bilateral grade II furcation lesions participated in the study. TefGen-GTR was placed in the experimental sites while the contralateral sites served as controls. Treatment effects were evaluated at six months reentry. Both groups showed gain in vertical and horizontal open probing attachment and defect depth reduction when compared to baseline values, with experimental sites showing statistically significant improvement over the controls. The results suggest that the nonresorbable Teflon barrier, TefGen-GTR, may be used as an alternative for treatment of grade II furcation invasions.