Successful Case of Periodontal Tissue Repair With Fibroblast Growth Factor-2: Long-Term Follow-Up and Comparison to Enamel Matrix Derivative

Introduction: Basic fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) is a stimulatory agent for periodontal tissue regeneration and is efficacious on alveolar bone defects in periodontitis patients. Although cases treated with FGF-2 have been reported, to the best of our knowledge, there is no information concerning long-term observation of FGF-2-treated cases. In this case report, a successful case treated with FGF-2 over 9 years of follow-up is described and compared to a case treated with enamel matrix derivative (EMD) in the same patient. Case Presentation: A phase 2A clinical trial of FGF-2 application for periodontal regeneration therapy was conducted from 2001 to 2004. A 52-year-old female patient with periodontitis and symmetric bone defects at teeth #3 and #14 was selected. When flap surgery was performed, FGF-2 (tooth #3) and EMD (tooth #14) were applied to the vertical bone defects that had progressed in the mesial sites. Clinical attachment gain and bone height time-dependently increased at site #3. Direct observation of alveolar bone of site #3 at 36 weeks demonstrated recovery of mesial bone defect and furcation lesion. When the clinical parameters were compared between the sites, attachment gain and bone recovery rate were greater in site #3 than in site #14. These conditions have been maintained for 9 years. Conclusion: The present case report shows that topical application of FGF-2 induced marked periodontal tissue repair in a vertical bone defect and a furcation lesion of the upper first molar, which has been well maintained for 9 years.