Abstract
A biodegradable membrane complexed with atelocollagen and tendoncollagen was manufactured with the aim of enhancing wound healing following periodontal surgery. We also conducted a fundamental examination of its application to clinical methods aimed at facilitating tissue regeneration. Eight beagle dogs were used. Circumferential defects were artificially prepared at the mandibular 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th premolar teeth. Wound healing was examined histopathologically at 3 and 6 weeks after surgery in the two groups, one group with implantation of membranes, the other group without implantation. As a result, the membrane application group demonstrated the following : 1) At 3 weeks after implantation, membranes remained in the connective tissue area between the periosteum and the root in all sections. 2) At 6 weeks after implantation, membranes clearly remained in one third of all sections, and gingival recession and epithelial downgrowth were inhibited at these sites. In remnants of all sections in which membranes could not be clearly demonstrated, the amounts of cementogenesis and osteogenesis increased markedly, in addition to inhibition of gingival recession and epithelial downgrowth. Furthermore, many sections showed periodontal ligament like structures. Thus, this method using a biodegradable membrane offers advantages as a regenerative treatment in periodontal surgery.
