RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of autologous fibrinogen (AF) and absorbable barrier membrane (ABM) on periodontal healing of canine experimental grade-III furcation defects. ANIMALS: 18 conditioned, laboratory-source, adult Beagles. PROCEDURE: Defects were developed bilaterally at the second and fourth premolars and maintained for 12 weeks. Defects were treated with AF, ABM, AF and ABM, or debridement. Digital subtraction radiography, histologic evaluation, and histomorphometric analysis of defect healing was done at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment to determine percentage increases in bone volume, height, area, and length of periodontal regeneration along the perimeter of the defect. RESULTS: Comparison of defects at post-treatment intervals indicated significantly greater healing of debridement and AF-treated defects, compared with ABM-treated defects at 3 months; however, by 6 months, there were no significant differences in defect healing for all histomorphometric variables. Defects treated with ABM were associated with significantly less root ankylosis than other treatments. Defects treated with debridement had significantly greater increases in bone volume at 6 months after treatment, compared with groups treated with ABM. There was a significant correlation between regenerated bone area, bone volume, and periodontal regeneration for all treatments at 3 and 6 months after treatment. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Use of AF and ABM did not enhance the amount of periodontal healing, compared with debridement only. The ABM-treated defects were essentially devoid of root ankylosis. Grade-III furcation defects may respond equally well to conservative periodontal surgery or guided tissue regenerative techniques. The prevention of root ankylosis is a substantial benefit favoring this latter method of treatment.
