PMN responses following use of 2 biodegradable GTR membranes.

OBJECTIVES: In the present prospective trial, the PMN response following resorbable GTR barrier placement was evaluated in mandibular class II furcation lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 10 patients with treated chronic periodontitis, we randomly selected the 1st molars in the mandible with buccal degree II furcation involvement for either polylactic-citric-acid-ester (PLA) or glycolide-lactic-copolymer (PGL) GTR membrane therapy. We examined contralateral healthy molar sites as untreated controls. We then evaluated the PMN-derived inflammatory tissue response at baseline, weekly up to 6 weeks post-therapy and at 12 and 24 weeks using GCF myeloperoxidase (MPO), beta-glucuronidase (betaG) and beta-N-acetyl-hexosaminidase (betaNAH).

RESULTS: The enzyme levels increased from baseline to the 6-week examination. After the 6-week reappointment, enzyme levels dropped reaching the baseline scores at both the 12- and 24-week visit. At PGL sites, the enzyme levels decreased earlier. Compared with healthy control sites, the MPO, betaNAH and betaG tests revealed different maximum levels at week 2 and 3 (PGL) and week 4, 5 and 6 (PLA). For both of the barriers the clinical parameters revealed a sustained improvement following therapy.

CONCLUSION: The release of PMN enzymes following placement of bioabsorbable membranes reflects the early soft tissue healing process. Our results suggest that the PMN response is barrier-dependent with the maximum response occuring at different times. However, the host response did not measureably affect the course of clinical healing.