Peri-implant reconstruction using autologous periosteum-derived cells and guided bone regeneration.

AIM: This investigation evaluated the bone healing in peri-implant defects treated with periosteum-derived cells (PCs) and guided bone regeneration (GBR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: PCs were harvested from six beagle dogs and characterized in vitro with regard to their osteogenic properties. The animals were subjected to teeth extraction in the mandible, and after 3 months of healing, implant sites were drilled, bone dehiscences were created and implants were placed. Dehiscences were randomly assigned to: PCs+GBR, GBR, PCs and non-treated defects. After 3 months, the implants/adjacent tissues were processed. Bone-to-implant contact (BIC) bone fill (BF) within implant threads, and bone area (BA) in a zone lateral to the implant were obtained. RESULTS: In vitro analyses confirmed the osteogenic potential of PCs. Histometrically, no statistically significant differences were observed among the PCs+GBR, GBR and PCs groups for both BF and BIC (p>0.05), whereas these groups showed statistically higher values, as compared with the non-treated group (p<0.05). With respect to BA, the PCs+GBR and GBR groups presented significantly higher means, as compared with the PCs and non-treated groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Although successful outcomes have been promoted by using the combined approach, PCs in conjunction with membranes did not provide additional benefit during peri-implant bone regeneration, when compared with the therapeutic approaches used alone.