Use of a synthetic skin substitute as a physical barrier to enhance healing in human periodontal furcation defects.

A study was conducted to evaluate the potential of guided tissue regeneration in the treatment of human molar Class II furcation defects using BioBrane temporary wound dressing as a barrier membrane and to compare the results to those with open debridement. Eight patients, with a total of nine pairs of Class II buccal furcation molar defects, were studied. Prior to surgery, soft tissue measurements, attachment levels, and hard tissue measurements were recorded. These measurements were repeated 4 to 6 weeks after membrane removal. The study revealed no significant difference between results of treatment using the BioBrane membrane and those obtained using open debridement alone, except in the measurement of horizontal open probing attachment, in which BioBrane-treated sites had a significant gain of soft tissue.