Effect of enamel matrix protein derivative on healing of surgical supra-infrabony periodontal defects in the rat molar: a histomorphometric study.
BACKGROUND
Enamel matrix protein derivative (EMD) has proven to enhance periodontal regeneration in human and animal studies. The present histomorphometric study evaluated healing of combined supra-infrabony periodontal defects with EMD.


METHODS
The study comprised two groups of 10 Wistar rats each, 7 to 8 months old. Bony defects were created on the mesial aspect of the mesial root of the first maxillary molar. The root surface was planed and 24% EDTA gel applied for 2 minutes and then rinsed with water. In the study group, EMD was applied, and in the control group, only propylene glycol alginate was applied. Animals were sacrificed 12 weeks after surgery, and block sections were removed, demineralized, and embedded in paraffin. For histomorphometric analysis, three sections from the central area of the defect were selected. Root, surgical defect, epithelial attachment, sulcus, supracrestal connective tissue, ankylosis, and the length and area of new cementum and new bone were measured.


RESULTS
No statistically significant differences between the two groups were found for root and defect measures. The remaining parameters were calculated as a percentage of the defect. In the study group, smaller gingival recession (P = 0.05), deeper gingival sulcus (P = 0.05), and shorter junctional epithelium (P = 0.01) were found. New cementum was observed in the study group only (P = 0.02). Ankylosis was six times larger in the control group but not statistically significant. New bone formation was similar in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Enamel matrix protein derivative enhanced periodontal healing in this model by reducing gingival recession and junctional epithelium along the root surface and enhancing the formation of new cementum.
Nemcovsky
Carlos E
CE
Department of Periodontology, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. carlos@post.tau.ac.il
Zahavi
Shira
S
Moses
Ofer
O
Kebudi
Edmon
E
Artzi
Zvi
Z
Beny
Leah
L
Weinreb
Miron
M
D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D025021:Cementogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004846:Epithelial Attachment / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D018786:Bone Substitutes; D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins; C109069:enamel matrix proteins