Introduction: Biologic materials, such as enamel matrix derivative (EMD), are often used to improve the regenerative outcome of periodontal treatment. On occasion, unintended effects of such treatment may occur. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report to document the development and treatment of a bony exostosis subsequent to a subepithelial connective tissue (CT) graft with the addition of EMD.
Case presentation: A healthy female patient received a CT graft and the application of EMD for the treatment of gingival recession at a maxillary premolar. In the following year, a bony exostosis developed and was excised using a piezoelectric surgical device and examined histologically. At the 1-year follow-up, the lesion had not recurred.
Conclusion: The use of EMD in conjunction with a CT graft represents a new potential contributing factor in the etiology of bony exostoses occurring after gingival augmentation procedures that warrants additional investigation.
Keywords: Connective tissue; enamel matrix proteins; exostoses; gingival recession; tissue transplantation.
© 2016 American Academy of Periodontology.