Healing of intra-bony defects following treatment with a composite bovine-derived xenograft (Bio-Oss Collagen) in combination with a collagen membrane (Bio-Gide PERIO)

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to compare clinically the treatment of deep intra-bony defects with a combination of a composite bovine-derived xenograft (BDX Coll) and a bioresorbable collagen membrane [guided tissue regeneration (GTR)] to access flap surgery only. Methods: Thirty-two patients, each of whom displayed one intra-bony defect, were treated either with BDX Coll+GTR (test) or with access flap surgery (control). The results were evaluated at 1 year following therapy. Results: No differences in any of the investigated parameters were observed at baseline between the two groups. Healing was uneventful in all patients. At 1 year after therapy, the test group showed a reduction in the mean probing depth (PD) from 8.3 +/- 1.5 to 2.9 +/- 1.3 mm (p < 0.001) and a change in the mean clinical attachment level (CAL) from 9.4 +/- 1.3 to 5.3 +/- 1.5 mm (p < 0.0001). In the control group, the mean PD was reduced from 8.0 +/- 1.2 to 4.4 +/- 1.7 mm (p < 0.001) and the mean CAL changed from 9.6 +/- 1.3 to 7.9 +/- 1.6 mm (p < 0.01). The test treatment resulted in statistically higher PD reductions (p <= 0.05) and CAL gains (p < 0.001) than the control one. In the test group, all sites (100%) gained at least 3 mm of CAL. In this group, a CAL gain of 3 or 4 mm was measured at 10 sites (62%), whereas at six sites (38%), the CAL gain was 5 or 6 mm. In the control group, no CAL gain occurred at three sites (19%), whereas at 10 sites (62%), the CAL gain was only 1 or 2 mm. A CAL gain of 3 mm was measured in three defects (19%). Conclusions: Within the limits of the present study, it can be concluded that the combination of BDX Coll+GTR resulted in significantly higher CAL gains than treatment with access flap surgery alone, and thus appears to be a suitable alternative for treating intra-bony periodontal defects.