Perforated Barrier Membranes Maintain Physiologic Gingival Crevicular Fluid Growth Factor Levels

surgical procedures:

• All surgeries were performed by the same operator (AYG).
• The surgical treatment phase was initiated only if the subject had a full-mouth dental plaque score of less than one and site plaque score of 0.
• Surgical procedures were accomplished as described in detail by Gamal and Iacono. 14 Under local anesthesia, a mucoperiosteal flap was elevated starting with an internal bevel incisions to the mucogingival junction to allow passive closure. Debridement of all inflammatory granulation tissue from the intrabony defect was performed by means of Gracey 7/8 metal curettes until a sound, healthy bone surface was obtained. At this time point, teeth were thoroughly root planed combining the use of metal curettes and power-driven instrumentation.
• For MPM treated sites, collagen membrane perforations were prepared just before surgery using a custom made 1 mm diameter pin and 1mm perforated acrylic template with a coronal occlusive rim of about 3 mm . Inter-perforation spaces were determined to be not less than 2mm in order to avoid loss of membrane stiffness. Thereafter, collagen membranes were hydrated in sterile saline, trimmed according to the template prepared for each defect, and adapted over the defects in such a manner that the entire defect and ≥2 of the surrounding alveolar bone was completely covered to avoid membrane collapse within the defect. The membranes were extended supracrestally 1 mm below the CEJ to ensure optimum gingival CT involvement in supracrestal wound healing. Collagen membranes were simply adapted in place according to the surgical protocol of the manufacturer without suturing. The mucoperiosteal flap was coronally positioned covering the entire membrane and sutured with 5-0 non-resorbable suture .
• No periodontal dressing was applied. OM and OFD sites were treated the same way except for using occlusive membranes or defect closure without using membranes. All patients received oral and written postoperative instructions.
• Patients were prescribed amoxicillin (500 mg)‡ every 8 hours for 1 week. Subjects with allergies to amoxicillin and derivatives were prescribed Clindamycin (300 mg) every 8 hours.
• Plaque control effort was supplemented by rinsing with chlorhexidine (0.12% chlorhexidine hydrochloride §) for one minute three times daily for 2 weeks. The patients were instructed to refrain from tooth brushing and interdental cleaning was avoided at the surgical areas during this time.
• Sutures were removed 14 days postoperatively and recall appointments for observation of any adverse tissue reaction and oral hygiene reinforcement were scheduled every second week during the first 2 months after surgery.
• One month after surgery, all patients were instructed to resume their normal mechanical oral hygiene measures, which consisted of brushing using a soft toothbrush with a roll-technique and flossing. Supportive periodontal maintenance including oral hygiene reinforcement and supragingival scaling was performed during each recall appointment.

Gingival Crevicular Fluid (GCF) Sampling:

To avoid irritation, samples were obtained 1 day following surgery and after individuals had fasted overnight and between 8:00AM and 10:00AM.

• Using micropipettes (5 ul), GCF samples were collected 21 by a single examiner (MA) who was masked to the attribution of the sites to groups.
• Following the isolation and drying of the selected site with cotton rolls, a fisher brand disposable micropipettes € was placed intrasulcularly at the mesiofacial line angle of the selected site to a maximum depth of 2 mm below the gingival margin. Micropipettes were left in place until 5 µl of fluid was collected.
• GCF samples were collected at day 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 30 days after therapy and diluted in saline solution (50 µl) for evaluation of VEGF and PDGF-BB levels. Samples were labeled, carried in a dark container and kept at -26 C until used.