RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate acellular dermal matrix (ADM) as a membrane for guided tissue regeneration (GTR) in the treatment of mandibular Class II furcation lesions and to compare it to a bioabsorbable membrane. METHODS: Class II furcation lesions were created surgically and chronified in six mongrel dogs on the buccal surfaces of mandibular third and fourth premolars, bilaterally. After 1 month, GTR was performed. Each side was assigned randomly to the control group (CGr: bioabsorbable membrane made of polyglycolic acid: trimethylene carbonate) or the test group (TGr: ADM as a membrane). Clinical measurements of the width and thickness of the keratinized tissue (WKT and TKT, respectively) were made before GTR. The dogs were sacrificed 12 weeks following GTR, and histomorphometric analysis was performed. Area measurements were taken of new tissue, epithelium, connective tissue, and new bone; bone height and new cementum were measured. RESULTS: The formation of new bone, cementum, and periodontal ligament were similar in both groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups for any histomorphometric measurement. The TGr had a statistically significant increase in WKT and TKT after 3 months. The mean TKT gain was 1.03 mm for the TGr and 0.26 mm for the CGr (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: The ADM demonstrated histomorphometric results similar to the bioabsorbable membrane and resulted in a greater increase in the thickness of the keratinized tissue.