Multi-center evaluation of bioabsorbable collagen membrane for guided tissue regeneration in human Class II furcations.

Clinical data related to GTR therapy for Class II furcations were analyzed from 7 treatment centers that evaluated one of two possible treatment pairs, either bioabsorbable collagen membrane (Type I bovine tendon collagen) (COLL) versus control surgical debridement (DEBR) or COLL versus expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). After initial preparation and re-evaluation, full thickness flaps were reflected, the defects debrided, and the roots planed. Furcations and associated bony defects in each patient were randomly assigned to one of the 2 treatments in each pair, and the flaps closed. Patients received quarterly periodontal maintenance until surgical re-entry at 6 to 12 (mean 11.1) months. Data from 59 pairs of Class II furcations were analyzed via paired t, Wilcoxon signed rank, and RM ANOVA tests. COLL showed better results than DEBR for vertical defect fill, percent defect resolution, and horizontal furcation fill. When COLL was compared to ePTFE in furcations across patients, no differences were found. Both COLL and ePTFE resulted in an improvement in clinical furcation Class about 50% of the time (compared to 7% frequency with DEBR). COLL use yielded 8 and ePTFE yielded 1 clinically-complete furcation closures. COLL barriers resulted in generally favorable clinical results in furcation defects, appeared to be better than DEBR alone, and were at least similar to and often better than ePTFE. COLL of the type used in this study appears to be a useful and beneficial material for regenerative therapy in Class II furcation type periodontal defects.