A comparative study on the use of Bio-Oss and enamel matrix derivative (Emdogain) in the treatment of periodontal bone defects.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcome following two different techniques of periodontal bone defects treatment. The study included 24 generally healthy subjects with advanced periodontitis. The patients were divided into two equal groups, according to the method applied. In the first group, a bovine-derived hydroxyapatite xenograft (Bio-Oss) combined with a resorbable collagen membrane (Bio-Gide) was used. The other group was treated with enamel matrix derivative (Emdogain). Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed prior to and 1 yr after surgery. The following parameters were evaluated: plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level, gingival recession, radiographic defect depth, and defect width. All clinical and radiographic parameters (except plaque index and gingival recession) were significantly reduced after treatment in both groups. No differences were revealed between the two groups of patients in examined parameters after treatment. The results demonstrated that the treatment of periodontal bone defects with both techniques leads to similar and significant improvements in clinical and radiographic parameters.