Microsurgical access flap in conjunction with enamel matrix derivative for the treatment of intra-bony defects: a controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this controlled study were to clinically and radiographically evaluate the effect of a microsurgical approach for the treatment of intra-bony defects with and without an enamel matrix derivative (EMD). Parts of this study population were already published by Wachtel and colleagues in 2003.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy intra-bony defects were randomly assigned to a microsurgical access flap with application of EMD (test group) and on the contra-lateral side to a microsurgical access flap alone (control group). Clinical and radiographic parameters were assessed at baseline and after 6 and 12 months.

RESULTS: Both test and control treatments resulted in a statistically significant mean clinical attachment level (CAL) gain, probing pocket depth (PPD) reduction and radiographic bone fill. The test group yielded statistically significantly more CAL gain, PPD reduction and radiographic bone fill than the control group. Gingival recession increase after 12 months averaged 0.5 and 0.7 mm for the test and control groups, and did not reach statistical significance. Two weeks after surgery, primary wound closure was maintained in 91% of the test sites and 97% of the control sites.

CONCLUSION: The combination of a microsurgical access flap with EMD seems to be superior to open flap debridement in terms of PPD reduction, CAL gain and radiographic bone fill. In the test as well as the control group, primary wound closure was successfully achieved.