Periodontal regenerative therapy with enamel matrix derivative in the treatment of intrabony defects: a prospective 2-year study.

Patients with chronic periodontitis who have completed initial periodontal therapy at either of the two dental school clinics were enrolled. Each contributed at least one intrabony defect of ≥3 mm in depth. During surgery, EMD was applied to the defect following debridement. Twenty-two participants (mean age 55.2 years old, 9 men and 13 women) completed 2-year reevaluation, and a total of 42 defects were subjected to data analysis. Mean gains in clinical attachment level (CAL) at 1 and 2 years were 2.9 mm (38% of baseline CAL) and 3.1 mm (41%), respectively, both showing a significant improvement from baseline. There was also a significant reduction in probing depth (PD): mean reductions at 1 and 2 years were 3.2 and 3.3 mm, respectively. There was a progressive improvement in the mean percentages of bone fill from 26% at 1 year to 36% at 2 years. No significant difference in CAL gain at 2 years was found between 3-wall bone defects and other defect types combined. In multiple regression analysis, the baseline PD was significantly associated with CAL gain at 2 years. In this population of patients, the treatment of intrabony defects with EMD yielded clinically favorable outcomes, as assessed by periodontal and radiographical parameters, over a period of 2 years.