Regeneration of intrabony defects: comparing e-PTFE membrane vs. decalcified freeze dried bone allograft--a pilot study.

The purpose of this study was to compare the amount of clinical attachment gained when using an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) membrane versus the placement of a decalcified, freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) in human deep intrabony defects. Ten 2- and 3-wall intrabony defects were treated with scaling and root planing followed by flap surgery and placement of either an e-PTFE membrane or a DFDBA. The clinical parameters, clinical attachment level (CAL), probing depth (PD) and recession, were evaluated at baseline, following oral hygiene instructions and scaling and root planing, and at 6 and 9 months post-operatively. The e-PTFE group demonstrated an increased CAL of 3.2 mm at 6 months and 3.4 mm at 9 months while the DFDBA group manifested a gain of 2.2 mm at 6 months and 2.6 mm at 9 months. The e-PTFE group had a 6.6 mm decrease in PD at 6 months and 6.2 mm at 9 months while the DFDBA group had a decrease of 4.0 mm and 4.4 mm at 6 and 9 months respectively. The amount of gingival recession was 1.6 mm for both groups at 6 months and slightly less for the PTFE group at 9 months. It was concluded that both treatment groups resulted in a clinically and statistically significant improvement over baseline measurements in clinical attachment gain and PD reduction. No statistical significance could be demonstrated between the two groups. The number of subjects and sites treated by the two treatment modalities--e-PTFE and DFDBA--was too small to conclude that the treatments gave comparable results. A larger sample size is necessary in order to establish whether or not a statistically significant difference exists between groups.