Predictability and Clinical Stability of Barrier Membranes in Treatment of Periodontal Intrabony Defects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The adjunctive use of GTR membranes helps us to achieve predictable periodontal regeneration. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate and compare the treatment efficacy of resorbable versus non-resorbable barrier membranes used in guided tissue regeneration in the treatment of intrabony defects in chronic periodontitis patients. The following databases were searched: Medline, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trails (CENTRAL), SCOPUS, EMBASE. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published in English languages over the past 25 years were included. The primary outcomes assessed were: change of probing pocket depth (PD), change in clinical attachment level (CAL) and gingival recession coverage (GRC), and intrabony defect fill (IBDF). A total of eight RCTs were included for systematic review. The outcome of GR at a six-month interval revealed a significant difference in treatment effect with a mean difference of 0.42, 95% CI [0.02, 0.81]; Z = 2.09, (p = 0.04) favouring the resorbable membrane group. The intrabony defect depth fill at a 12-month interval revealed a significant difference in treatment effect with MD of 0.79, p = 0.00001; favoring the resorbable membrane group. The resorbable membrane showed a significant improvement in gingival recession coverage and intrabony defect fill, owing to its advantage of avoiding the second surgical intervention.