Regeneration of Human Intrabony Defects With rhFGF-2/HA

BACKGROUND: Periodontal disease is an infection that results in progressive loss of dental support, which may lead to tooth loss.. The goal of the present study was to evaluate if recombinant human Fibroblast Growth Factor type 2 (rhFGF-2) applied in periodontal intrabony defects in a hyaluronic acid (HA) carrier would enhance the clinical paramenters of regeneration of the periodontal attachment apparatus and the long-term maintenance of the results obtained. METHODS: Thirty adult patients were evaluated. Initial treatment consisted in plaque control measures executed previously to the experimental phase. Two intra-bony defects in each patient were ramdomly allocated for each of the treatment methods employed. Control group (n=30) were treated by open debridement with the papilla preservation flaps, while the text group (n=30) also received a topical application of rhFGF-2/HA in the intrabony defect. The parameters evaluated were, probing depth (PD), gingival recession (REC), probing attachment level (PAL) and probing bone level (PBL). Clinical measurements obtained at baseline and 1, 5 and 10 years after the surgical procedure were compared.