Periodontal repair in dogs: rhBMP-2 significantly enhances bone formation under provisions for guided tissue regeneration

Background: Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) has been shown to support the regeneration of alveolar bone and periodontal attachment in surgically created periodontal defects and in defects with a history of dental plaque and calculus exposure. Periodontal regeneration has also been shown following guided tissue regeneration using space-providing expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) devices. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of rhBMP-2 on regeneration of alveolar bone and periodontal attachment used in conjunction with a space-providing ePTFE device. Methods: Routine, critical-size, 5-6 mm, supra-alveolar, periodontal defects were created around the third and fourth mandibular premolar teeth in four young adult Hound Labrador mongrel dogs. rhBMP-2 (0.2 mg/ml) in an absorbable collagen sponge (rhBMP-2/ACS) or buffer/ACS (control) implants were randomly assigned to be placed around the premolar teeth in the left and right jaw quadrants in subsequent animals. Space-providing ePTFE devices with 300-μm laser-drilled pores, 0.8 mm apart, were used to cover the rhBMP-2 and control implants. The gingival flaps were advanced for primary wound closure. The animals were euthanized at 8 weeks postsurgery for histologic and histometric analyses. Results: Bone regeneration and ankylosis were significantly increased in jaw quadrants receiving rhBMP-2/ACS compared to control (bone height 4.8 ± 0.3 versus 2.0 ± 0.2 mm, p = 0.001; bone area 10.9 ± 1.3 versus 1.4 ± 0.1 mm²; p = 0.009, and ankylosis 2.2 ± 0.2 versus 0.04 ± 0.7 mm; p = 0.01). No differences between groups were found for cementum regeneration and root resorption. Conclusions: rhBMP-2 significantly enhances regeneration of alveolar bone in conjunction with a space-providing, macroporous ePTFE device for GTR.