Periodontal repair in dogs: Gingival tissue occlusion, a critical requirement for GTR?

Background: Design criteria for guided tissue regeneration (GTR) devices include biocompatibility, cell occlusion, space maintenance, tissue integration, and ease of use. Previous studies have established the importance of wound stabilization and space provision during the early healing sequel for successful GTR outcomes as well as evaluated biocompatibility, tissue integration, and clinical manageability of various biomaterials. The importance of cell or tissue occlusion has yet to be established. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of tissue occlusion as a critical determinant for GTR outcomes. Methods: Routine, critical size, 5-6 mm, supra-alveolar, periodontal defects were created around the mandibular premolar teeth in six young adult Beagle dogs. Space-providing expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membranes, with (macroporous) or without (occlusive) 300-μm laser-drilled pores, 0.8 mm apart, were implanted to provide for GTR. Treatments were randomly assigned to left and right jaw quadrants in subsequent animals. The gingival flaps were advanced to cover the membranes and sutured. The animals were euthanized at 8 weeks postsurgery for histologic and histometric analysis. Results: Three animals experienced wound failure within 2-3 weeks postsurgery resulting in exposure and removal of the occlusive ePTFE membranes. All defect sites, irrespective of membrane configuration or history of membrane exposure and removal, exhibited substantial evidence of periodontal regeneration including a functionally oriented periodontal ligament. To evaluate the biologic potential of GTR devices, only animals without wound failure and membrane removal were included. Alveolar bone regeneration for animals receiving occlusive and macroporous ePTFE membranes averaged (±SD) 3.2±1.1 versus 2.0±0.4mm (p = 0.3113). Cementum regeneration was enhanced in defect sites receiving the occlusive ePTFE membrane compared to the macroporous membrane (4.7±0.4 versus 2.3±0.2 mm; p = 0.0167). Ankylosis was observed in one animal. Limited root resorption was observed in a second animal. Conclusion: Tissue occlusion does not appear to be a critical determinant for GTR. However, tissue occlusion may be a requirement for optimal GTR. Moreover, macroporous space-providing devices may increase the predictability of clinical GTR therapy.