The Effect of Enamel Matrix Derivative (Emdogain®) on Bone Formation: A Systematic Review

This systematic review focused on the question, if and to what extent enamel matrix derivative (Emdogain (R) [EMD]) promotes the regeneration of bone. The influence of combinations with other biomaterials was additionally evaluated. Twenty histomorphometric studies were included in this systematic review. Main results of the reviewed articles were (i) guide tissue regeneration (GTR) of infrabony defects seems to result in a higher degree of bone regeneration compared to treatment with EMD; (ii) combined therapy (GTR + EMD) of infrabony defects might not lead to better results than GTR therapy alone; (iii) there seems to be no additional benefit of combined therapy (GTR + EMD) in furcation defects over GTR therapy alone; (iv) EMD seems to lead to more bone regeneration of infrabony defects compared to open flap debridement; (v) however, EMD application might result in more bone formation when applied in supporting defects compared to nonsupporting defects; and (vi) EMD does not seem to promote external jaw/parietal bone formation in the titanium capsule model. The results of one study that suggest that EMD increases the initial growth of trabecular bone around endosseous implants by new bone induction need to be confirmed by additional research.