The evaluation of chorionic membrane in guided tissue regeneration for periodontal pocket therapy: a clinical and radiographic study.

Periodontal regenerative therapy is aimed at reconstruction and to restore the architecture and function of lost or injured tissues. Melcher (J Periodontol 47(5):256-260, 1976) introduced the concept of guided tissue regeneration (GTR) for osseous reconstructive surgery. The aim of the present innovative clinical and radiographic study was to evaluate the effect of chorionic membrane (CM) in GTR in periodontal pocket therapy. Ten patients with moderate to severe periodontitis were selected in the single blind randomized controlled clinical trial. Patients were treated with periodontal pocket therapy along with CM in study sites and the control sites were treated with periodontal pocket therapy alone. The clinical parameters were recorded at baseline and 12 months. The radiographic parameters were recorded at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Clinical parameters included gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), pocket probing depth (PPD) and relative attachment level (RAL). Digital images were analysed for bone gain (BG) and density. Data were evaluated using t test. Statistical significant differences were found in both sites at 12 months for GI, PI, PPD and RAL. Highly significant reduction was seen in GI 0.40 +/- 0.08 (p = 0.0001), PI (0.41 +/- 0.18), PPD 2.50 +/- 0.53 mm (p = 0.0431) and increased BG 0.86 +/- 0.18 (p < 0.0001) were observed in study sites. This shows that CM when used with pocket therapy can have influence on clinical parameters. Radiographic findings from this study demonstrated significant BG and density in sites treated with CM as compared to control sites.