The histologic evaluation of new attachment in periodontally diseased human roots treated with tetracycline-hydrochloride and fibronectin.

The purpose of this study was to determine how the treatment of human tooth roots with tetracycline-HCl and fibronectin during periodontal surgery influences the attachment of the gingiva to the root surface. Mucoperiosteal flap surgery was performed on 22 teeth with periodontal disease. Teeth were assigned to three groups. Group one received surgery with degranulation and root planing. Group two received surgery with treatment of roots with tetracycline-HCl. Group three received surgery with treatment of roots with tetracycline-HCl and fibronectin. At 90 days, block sections were taken and teeth, gingiva, alveolar bone, and periodontal ligament were evaluated histologically. Controls healed with a long junctional epithelial attachment. Tetracycline and tetracycline with fibronectin groups demonstrated some reattachment, but only within the notches placed in the root at the original level of the bone. There was a trend for greater connective tissue attachment following tetracycline-HCl treatment of roots. The additional application of fibronectin to tetracycline treated roots appeared to partially negate the enhanced connective tissue attachment observed with tetracycline treatment alone.