Treatment of a human transosseous mandibular defect by guided bone regeneration.

The treatment of through-and-through human periapical lesions by barrier membrane techniques has not been reported in the periodontal literature. However, periodontists frequently perform this treatment. The authors present a case that demonstrates radiopacity after regeneration surgery of a human periapical transosseous mandibular defect, suggesting local bone regeneration. The surgical technique performed in this case was based on the principles of guided bone regeneration using a demineralized freeze-dried bone membrane (DFDBM). The bone membrane acted as an efficient barrier that excluded the nonosteogenic tissue. Radiographic findings demonstrated bone fill after 8 months.