Evaluation of the polylactide-polyglycolide copolymer Fisiograft® in the treatment of intrabony defects. Clinical and radiographic results of a pilot study

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of the polylactide-polyglycolide copolymer Fisiograft® as a bone graft material in the treatment of interproximal intrabony defects clinically and radiographically. Methods: A total of 22 intrabony defects in 8 patients with chronic periodontitis (4 males and 4 females) aged 20 to 55 years were recruited and divided equally into two groups: control (open flap debridement alone) and experimental (open flap debridement with Fisiograft®). Recordings of probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival margin position (GMP) and radiovisiographic assessment was done at baseline and 6 months. Results: Statistical analysis was done by Wilcoxon Signed Rank test for intra-group comparisons and Mann-Whitney U-test for inter-group comparisons. The clinical parameters PPD, CAL and GMP were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05) within each group. Inter-group comparison showed only the CAL gain to be statistically significant (p<0.01). In relation to hard tissue changes, statistically significant (p=0.05) result was seen for the percent filling of the original defect, comparing the experimental and control groups 6 months postoperatively. Conclusions: Placement of Fisiograft® resulted in better healing of intrabony defects as assessed clinically and radiographically when compared to open flap debridement alone.