A clinical comparison of collagen membranes with e-PTFE membranes in the treatment of human mandibular buccal class II furcation defects.

Guided tissue regeneration procedures using non-resorbable expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) membranes have become accepted therapy in treating moderate furcation defects. Resorbable collagen membranes have also been found to support regeneration and preclude the need for surgical removal. The present study compares their effectiveness with e-PTFE membranes in treating human mandibular Class II buccal furcation defects over a 12-month healing interval. Twelve patients were treated with collagen membrane in one defect and e-PTFE in another. Vertical and horizontal defect repair was evaluated through soft tissue probings and hard tissue measurements. Gingival indices and crevicular fluid flow measurements were used to evaluate site inflammation. Intragroup comparisons were made from baseline to 12 months for each type of membrane (sign test) and for differences between treatment groups with collagen versus e-PTFE membranes (Wilcoxon signed rank test). Both materials were effective in gaining vertical open probing new attachment and horizontal open and closed probing new attachment. Collagen membrane was statistically superior to e-PTFE in gaining horizontal open new probing attachment and in reduced levels of inflammation at the surgical site from baseline to 4 weeks. However, clinical differences were negligible. The intrinsic properties and ease of handling make collagen membranes a feasible alternative in guided tissue regeneration procedures.