A comparison of porous and non-porous teflon membranes plus demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft in the treatment of class II buccal/lingual furcation defects: A clinical reentry study

Background: The aim of this 9-month reentry study was to compare the regenerative healing using porous (P) and nonporous (NP) teflon barrier membranes plus demineralized freeze dried bone allografts (DFDBA) in Class II buccal/lingual furcation defects. Methods: Twenty-four patients, 13 males and 11 females, ages 38 to 75 (mean 54 +/- 10), were included in this study. Each patient had adult periodontitis and one Class 11 furcation defect measuring greater than or equal to3 mm open horizontal probing depth. Twelve patients were randomly selected to receive the NP treatment and 12 received the P membrane. All defects received a DFDBA graft. Measurements were performed by a masked examiner. Results: No statistically significant differences (P >0.05) were found between NP and P groups at any time with respect to any open or closed measure. Improvement in mean open horizontal probing depth was significant for both the NP (2.33 +/- 0.78 mm) and P (2.75 +/- 0.75 mm) groups. Mean clinical attachment level gains at 9 months were significant for both NP (1.50 +/- 1.62 mm) and P (2.50 +/- 2.11 mm) groups. Seventeen of 24 defects had an intrabony component and greater than or equal to 50% fill was obtained in 100% of these defects. Conclusions: The results of this 9-month reentry study comparing the use of porous and non-porous barrier membranes with a DFDBA graft indicate that there were no statistically significant differences between groups. Both groups showed a statistically significant improvement following the treatment of Class II furcation defects in humans.