title: Evaluation of a new bioabsorbable barrier for recession therapy: a feasibility study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a new polylactic acid bioabsorbable barrier in the treatment of gingival recession.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients with buccal recession defects (Miller class I, II, and III; mean recession: 4.0 +/- 1.2 mm; range: 2.0 to 6.8 mm) participated. After thorough scaling and root surface conditioning with 10% tetracycline-HCl, a trapezoidal mucoperiosteal flap was prepared. A customized barrier was applied to cover the defect. Barriers adhered directly to tooth and bone and no sutures were used. The barrier was subsequently covered by a coronally positioned flap. Assessments of probing depths were performed by means of a controlled-force electronic probe, and recession was determined on stone models with a digital caliper at baseline and 12 months following therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight barriers showed limited exposure (1 to 2 mm) with minimal signs of gingival inflammation between 2 and 6 weeks following surgery. Comparing baseline measurements with outcomes at 12 months, significant root coverage and probing attachment gain were observed (P <0.0001, paired t test). Mean gingival recession was reduced to 0.4 +/- 0.5 mm, corresponding to a mean root coverage of 91.9%, and overall attachment gains amounted to 4.2 mm. A significant gain of keratinized tissue was found (2.9 +/- 0.7 mm), and mean probing depths were slightly reduced from 2.2 to 1.7 mm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study indicate favorable outcomes after using a new bioabsorbable barrier material for root coverage in recession-type defects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Kiel University, Germany. jepsen@konspar.uni-kiel.de
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jepsen
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Heinz
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kermanie
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jepsen
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000601:surgery*; D016557:Guided Tissue Regeneration, Periodontal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008875:Middle Aged; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D011091:Polyesters; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide)