A clinical evaluation of guided tissue regeneration in the treatment of class II and class III furcation bony defects.

This investigation was designed to compare the clinical efficacy of open flap/expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) membrane combination therapy to open flap therapy alone in the treatment of class II and class III furcation bony defects. The efficacy was evaluated by statistical analysis of the change in values for probing pocket depth, gingival recession, and relative (probing) attachment level. The statistical analysis indicated that the guided tissue regeneration (GTR)-applied group had better efficacy than the non-applied group in the treatment of furcation bony defects. Moreover, the GTR-applied maxillary group had better efficacy than the GTR-applied mandibular group, and the GTR-applied class III group was better than the GTR-applied class II group. These results were diametrically opposed to the results from the non-applied class II group. These results were diametrically opposed to the results from the non-applied group. By histological examination, new attachment of newly formed cementum with inserting of oriented collagen fibers was noted. We also found new bone formation and partial bone repair in the former furcation bony defect.