The aim of the present study was to assess the predictability of probing attachment gain and probing pocket depth reduction following Emdogain treatment at sites with deep angular bone defects.
Material and methods: 108 consecutively-treated periodontal patients (mean age 55.8 years) were included. Each subject exhibited at least 1 deep interproximal intrabony defect that could be identified as an experimental site based on the inclusion criteria: (i) probing pocket depth > or = 5 mm, (ii) probing attachment loss > or = 6 mm, (iii) radiographic evidence of an interproximal bone defect with a > or = 3 mm intrabony component. A total of 145 defects met the criteria for inclusion. All subjects received non-surgical periodontal therapy. This included subgingival instrumentation in all parts of the dentition. At least 6 months after the completion of this treatment, a baseline examination was performed to characterise the experimental site. Reconstructive therapy was subsequently performed. Full-thickness periodontal flaps were elevated, and the root surface scaled and planed. No bone recontouring was performed. A gel containing 24% EDTA was applied on the exposed root and was kept in place for 2 min. A preparation of enamel matrix proteins was applied to the root surface and adjacent defect space. The flaps were replaced and closed with sutures. The experimental sites were re-examined 12 months after reconstructive surgery.
Results: The re-examination demonstrated that a treatment including the application of enamel matrix proteins at periodontal sites with angular defects resulted in a mean probing attachment level gain of 4.6 mm and a probing pocket depth reduction of 5.2 mm. 87% of all sites treated exhibited a probing attachment gain of > 2 mm. One site suffered probing attachment loss. The radiographic assessments revealed that the bone defect had been reduced in depth by 2.9 mm on average. The reduction in defect size corresponded to an average bone fill of 69% of the original defect. In 43% of the defects, the bone fill amounted to > or = 80%.
Conclusion: The overall probing pocket depth reduction, probing attachment level gain, and soft tissue recession, that results following Emdogain therapy, is similar to the corresponding outcome variables following GTR.