Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) versus cementum-impregnated gelatine membrane (CGM) techniques: a histologic comparison of relative effectiveness in promoting periodontal attachment.

Some prior reports have suggested that guided tissue regeneration (GTR) procedures achieve only partial regeneration and induces the ankylosis rather than true attachment. Accordingly, others have developed an alternative procedure employing gelatine membrane compounded with bovine cementum particles (CGM) which has proven effective in stimulating a more physiologic form of attachment. This study was undertaken to perform a direct comparison of histological results when CGM and GTR membrane were used at comparable sites in the same monkey. Three monkeys with no periodontal disease were used. Following flap surgery, recession type defects were created on the buccal side of the maxillary lateral incisors and second premolars, and the cementum was removed from the root surface at an area corresponding to the bone crest. The right and left lateral incisors and second premolars were covered with CGM and GTR membrane, respectively. The GTR membranes were removed after 4 weeks. At 6 wks, the animals were sacrificed, and specimens were prepared for histological examination. More coronally placed true new attachment was observed following application of CGM to the planed root surfaces. Application of the GTR membrane resulted in formation of bone-like cementum and ankylosis, whereas CGM established true periodontal regeneration.