Application of Enamel Matrix Proteins in the Treatment of Root Coverage in Dogs

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the usefulness of a periodontal regeneration procedure with enamel matrix proteins for the coverage of experimentally induced localized gingival recession in dogs. Serial histopathologihcal and morphological changes in the root surface after application of the enamel matrix proteins were compared with the changes after conventional tooth coverage using a subepithelial connective tissue graft. The results revealed no serial changes in the amount of covering in exposed dental root surfaces in the enamel matrix proteins group or the subepithelial connective tissue graft group. Hardly any newly formed cementum or bone was observed at 2,6, and 12 weeks after subepithelial connective tissue grafting. Significant epithelial invasion and long epithelial attachment among the exposed root surfaces were observed in the subepithelial connective tissue graft group (p＜0.01). In the enamel matrix proteins group, however, significant newly formed cementum and bone were observed at 6 and 12 weeks, and it was associated with connective tissue attachment between the dental root surfaces (p＜0.01). Based on the above evidence, the application of enamel matrix proteins appears to be a highly effective, reliable procedure for covering exposed root surfaces associated with gingival recession defects.