A controlled re-entry study on the effectiveness of bovine porous bone mineral used in combination with a collagen membrane of porcine origin in the treatment of intrabony defects in humans

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a bovine porous bone mineral used in combination with a porcine derived collagen membrane as a barrier in promoting periodontal regeneration in intrabony defects in humans. Material and Methods: The study employed a split-mouth design. 22 paired intrabony defects were treated and surgically re-entered 6 months after treatment. Experimental sites were grafted with bovine porous bone mineral and received a collagen membrane for guided tissue regeneration. Control sites were treated with an open flap debridement. Results: Preoperative pocket depths, attachment levels and trans-operative bone measurements were similar for control and experimental sites. Post surgical measurements revealed a significantly greater reduction in pocket depth (differences of 1.89+/-0.31 mm on buccal 0.88+/-0.27 mm on lingual measurements) and more gain in clinical attachment (differences of 1.51+/-0.33 mm on buccal and 1.50+/-0.35 mm on lingual measurements) in experimental sites. Surgical reentry of the treated defects revealed a significantly greater amount of defect fill in favor of experimental sites (differences of 2.67+/-0.91 mm on buccal and 2.54+/-0.87 mm on lingual measurements). Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that clinical resolution of intrabony defects can be achieved using a combination of bovine porous bone mineral and an absorbable, porcine derived collagen membrane when employing a technique based on the principles of guided tissue regeneration. The nature of the attachment between the newly regenerated tissue and the root surfaces needs to be evaluated histologically to confirm the presence of new attachment.