HTR polymer grafts in human periodontal osseous defects. I. 6-month clinical results.

HTR polymer was evaluated as a grafting material in periodontal osseous defects in 21 adult patients. Following initial preparation and pre-surgical documentation with standardized measurements, radiographs, and photographs, vertical osseous defects were treated with surgical open flap debridement alone (DEBR) or with DEBR plus placement of HTR polymer graft material. Patients were followed with frequent recalls until surgical re-entry at about 6 months for documentation and any needed remedial therapy. Re-entry data show that use of HTR polymer grafts resulted in significantly better mean defect fill of 2.2 mm (60.8%) compared to 1.0 mm (32.2%) with DEBR alone (P less than .001). Other hard tissue findings such as residual defect depth, crestal resorption, and percent defect resolution showed similar clinically superior results with the use of HTR polymer. Soft tissue findings showed significant differences in favor of HTR for decrease in probing depth and gain in clinical attachment. These results are similar to those reported with other graft materials. Over a 6-month period, HTR polymer was found to show promise for the repair of periodontal osseous defects.