Autologous Alveolar Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Reconstruction of Infrabony Periodontal Defects

Systemically healthy periodontitis patients are recruited from new referrals to the Department of Periodontology and Biology of Implants, AUTh. After completion of non-surgical periodontal treatment those subjects who have at least one interdental osseous defect with probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level of ≥ 6mm and an intrabony component of ≥ 3mm with no endodontic or furcation involvement are randomly allocated into one of the three treatment groups. Group A receives regenerative treatment using autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells free of animal derived reagents, produced in clean room facilities and seeded into collagen scaffolds enriched with fibrin glue; in Group B, a collagen fleece enriched with fibrin glue devoid of stem cells fills the osseous defect; Group C receives open flap debridement retaining the soft wall of the defect. Thereafter, subjects are followed for 12 months and are repeatedly assessed based on clinical, radiographic, immunological and microbiological parameters. In a series of cases, tissue engineering in a similar manner to Group A will be applied to treat isolated periodontal interdental defects, in combination with the novel "closed surgical technique".