Human clinical and histologic responses to the placement of HTR polymer particles in 11 intrabony lesions.

Eleven intrabony periodontal lesions in five volunteer patients received surgical debridement followed by site implantation of a porous particulate polymeric composite (HTR polymer). These patients were observed over time periods varying from 4 weeks to 26 weeks. At the end of the individual observation periods, treated sites were surgically removed in block for histologic analysis. Clinical observations indicated a reduction in pocket depth following treatment which consisted of both gingival recession and gain in clinical closure. No untoward effects were observed clinically in any treated patient during the observation periods. Histologic responses varied from gain in closure by epithelial adhesion to new attachment of varying magnitude. Such varied responses were seen within the same patient and between patients. Graft particles were present at sites from 4 weeks to 26 weeks after implantation and were surrounded by connective tissue capsules. At the periphery of some particles, limited bone formation was present. The alveolar bed was remodeling, at times surrounding specific particles. In our sample, HTR polymer, therefore, appeared to be a well tolerated synthetic graft material when implanted in human intrabony lesions.