New connective tissue attachment in beagles with advanced natural periodontitis

Abstract
A pilot study using advanced, natural periodontitis in beagle dogs was performed to determine the possibility of achieving periodontal regeneration to an extent that would bring the attachment back to the original level at the cemento‐enamel junction. Nine mandibular premolars in two beagles were treated with a mucoperiostal flap procedure including citric acid conditioning of the root surfaces and coronal placement and suturing of the flaps.Histologic examination of buccal and lingual root surfaces demonstrated new connective tissue attachment including the formation of new cementum back to or near the cemento‐enamel junction in most specimens. The mean epithelial migration apical to the cemento‐enamel junction amounted to only 0.3 mm. The formation of new crestal alveolar bone, however, was limited. The histological analyses of the furcation areas showed new connective tissue attachment in six of the nine specimens.The result indicates that it is biologically possible to obtain new connective tissue attachment up to the original level of attachment at the cemento‐enamel junction following treatment of advanced natural periodontitis in beagle dogs. It seems to be possible to accomplish this connective tissue attachment not just in isolated areas, but at several circumferential locations on the teeth as well.