Clinical evaluation of the use of citric acid and autologous fibronectin in periodontal surgery.

This study evaluated the effects of citric acid demineralization and autologous fibronectin application in association with a modified Widman flap in the treatment of periodontitis. The study population comprised 29 patients under treatment for moderate to advanced periodontitis who reached the one-year posttherapy evaluation. After thorough scaling and root planing, a split mouth design was used in which two quadrants were treated by modified Widman flap alone, and the other two randomly assigned quadrants were treated by modified Widman flap combined with citric acid demineralization and autologous fibronectin application. Fibronectin, which had previously been isolated from the patient's own plasma, was applied with a tuberculin syringe on the citric acid demineralized root surfaces and the inner aspect of the flap. After suturing provided good flap adaptation, additional fibronectin was again applied under the flap and external pressure was applied. Patients were clinically evaluated at baseline and at one year. Statistical evaluation of the data using paired t test and Chi-square analysis indicated that both approaches, modified Widman flap alone or in combination with citric acid and fibronectin, significantly reduced probing pocket depth and increased clinical attachment. However, the changes achieved with citric acid and fibronectin were statistically greater than those obtained with the flap alone. Furthermore, the number of sites gaining 2 mm or more of clinical attachment were significantly increased. The results suggest that the use of citric acid and fibronectin holds promise in promoting reattachment after periodontal therapy.