Enamel matrix derivative proteins for the treatment of proximal class II furcation involvements: a prospective 24‐month randomized clinical trial

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the response of proximal furcations treated with enamel matrix derivative proteins (EMD) in a 24-month follow-up. Twelve patients presenting bilateral class II proximal furcation with vertical probing depth (PD) ≥5 mm and bleeding on probing were selected. The furcations were assigned to: a control group (n=12), open flap debridement (OFD)+EDTA and a test group (n=12) - OFD+EDTA+EMD. The gingival margin position, PD, relative vertical and horizontal clinical attachment level (RVCAL and RHCAL), vertical and horizontal bone level (VBL and HBL) and furcation closure were evaluated before treatment and after 6, 12 and 24 months. After follow-up, no statistical difference could be seen between groups. At 24 months, the test group showed 1.9 ± 1.6 mm PD reduction whereas the control group showed 1.0 ± 1.3 mm PD reduction. RHCAL gains of the control and the test group were 0.7 ± 1.3 and 1.4 ± 0.9 mm, respectively. However, at 24 months, the test group only presented five remaining class II furcations versus 10 furcations in the control group (p<0.05). It could be concluded that EMD therapy promoted a reduction in the number of proximal furcations presenting a diagnosis of class II after 24 months of treatment compared with OFD therapy.