Healing of artificial fenestration defects by seeding of fibroblast-like cells derived from regenerated periodontal ligament in a dog: a preliminary study.

The purpose of this study was to assess the seeding of fibroblast-like cells to promote periodontal healing in artificial fenestration defects in a dog. Fibroblast-like cells were cultured by incubating regenerated periodontal ligament tissue, that had been surgically taken, underneath a Teflon membrane. Fenestration defects were surgically induced on the maxillary canine and first molar teeth at a spacing of 5 to 5 mm. Passage 4 cells (2 x 10(5) cells) in autologous blood coagulum were placed on root surfaces in two defects; the remaining two defects were used as controls. Healing was evaluated histomorphometrically on postoperative day 42. The main periodontal healing pattern consisted of connective tissue adaptation in three of the four specimens including one control, with cementum formation at 9-12%; one control specimen that exhibited 100% cementum formation. New bone formation was greater in the cell-seeding group (84%) compared with control (39%). In the cell-seeding group, one specimen exhibited total regeneration of bone (100%); however, the connective tissue located between newly formed bone and the root surface was observed to adapt to the dentin surface, with limited cementum formation. Seeding of cells from periodontal ligament may be promising to promote periodontal regeneration, but needs to be investigated in further studies.