title: A clinical evaluation of a bioresorbable membrane and porous hydroxyapatite in the treatment of human molar class II furcations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The ultimate goal of periodontal therapy is predictable regeneration of a functional attachment apparatus destroyed as a result of periodontitis. Reconstructive procedures have been used with varying success during the past decades to accomplish this goal.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate whether the use of porous hydroxyapatite alone or a bioresorbable membrane alone would enhance the clinical results in the treatment of class II furcation defects in human lower molars.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen patients with chronic periodontitis, aged between 39 and 49 years, with a pair of similar bilateral class II furcation defects (classification of Hamp et al.) in mandibular first molars were selected. A split-mouth design was incorporated and the selected 30 furcation defects were assigned to one of the two treatment groups, i.e., Group I treated with a bioresorbable membrane from bovine-derived collagen guided tissue regeneration membrane and Group II treated using porous hydroxyapatite bone graft material on the contralateral sides. Evaluation of clinical parameters, probing depths and attachment levels, and radiographs was done preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both the groups showed statistically significant mean reduction in probing depths and gain in clinical attachment levels and linear bone fill. Comparison between Group I and Group II showed insignificant difference.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limits of this study, both the treatment modalities are beneficial for the treatment of human mandibular class II furcation defects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, SVS Institute of Dental Sciences, Appannapally, Mahabubnagar, India.
authors.forename: K Gita
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Malathi
authors.forename: J Narendra
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Dev
authors.forename: K Suresh
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Chitta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Srikanth
authors.forename: P V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Ravi Chandra
authors.forename: Arpita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paul
keywords: Chronic periodontitis; class II furcation defects; porous hydroxyapatite and guided tissue regeneration membrane; regeneration