Objective: In root coverage treatment, periodontal regeneration in gingival recession-type defects is an important challenge for the periodontist. The aim of this study was to histometrically investigate the effect of combined use of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) and beta tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) on root coverage in dogs.
Materials and methods: Sixteen adult beagle dogs were used. Buccal gingival recession defects were surgically created bilaterally in the maxillary canines. The defects in each animal were randomly assigned to: (1) an FGF-2 alone (control) group or (2) FGF-2/β-TCP (experimental) group. At 2, 4 or 8 weeks following surgery, specimens were obtained and subjected to microscopic examination and histometric assessment.
Results: Inhibition of epithelial down-growth was observed in both groups. At week 2, in the newly formed connective tissue at the coronal portion, the FGF-2/β-TCP group showed significantly greater numbers of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells than the FGF-2 group (55.8 ± 4.8 vs 12.0 ± 1.4, p < 0.01). In the FGF-2/β-TCP group, new attachment was observed at 8 weeks and the extent of new bone and cementum formation was significantly greater in the FGF-2/β-TCP group than that in the FGF-2 alone group. In both groups, the dentin surface beneath the new cementum presented minor irregularities, but no replacement resorption was observed.
Conclusions: FGF-2 used in combination with β-TCP enhances formation of new bone and cementum without significant root resorption in root coverage in this dog model. This combination warrants further investigation in periodontal regeneration in root coverage treatment.