Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the periapical and periodontal healing of apicomarginal defects 12 months after periradicular surgery and guided tissue regeneration in a series of consecutively treated patients.
Study design: Patients with apicomarginal defects who were referred for periradicular surgery were included. Apicomarginal defects were grafted with Bio-Oss bone mineral and covered with a Bio-Gide membrane. Periodontal probing depths (PPDs) and relative attachment levels were measured preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively with a manual force-controlled probe. Periapical healing was assessed clinically and radiographically.
Results: Of the 23 defects in 22 patients for whom follow-up data were available, 19 were considered clinically and radiographically successful, 2 were doubtful, and 2 were failures. Overall, the baseline median PPD decreased from 9.0 mm to 3.0 mm, corresponding to a median relative attachment level gain of 2.8 mm. In the case of periodontic-endodontic lesions, the median baseline PPD decreased from 9.8 mm to 4.0 mm, corresponding to a median relative attachment level gain of 4.2 mm. Defects that involved a proximal root surface had a significantly higher residual PPD than did defects not involving a proximal root surface.
Conclusions: Guided tissue regeneration treatment of apicomarginal defects yields good results in terms of periapical and periodontal healing after 12 months and should be considered as an adjunct to periradicular surgery in such cases.