Human intrabony defect regeneration with rhFGF-2 and hyaluronic acid - a randomized controlled clinical trial

Aim: The goal of this study was to evaluate if a biological hydrogel of recombinant human Fibroblast Growth Factor type 2 (rhFGF-2) in a hyaluronic acid (HA) carrier applied in periodontal intrabony defects would enhance the clinical parameters of regeneration of the periodontal attachment apparatus Materials and Methods: Thirty adult patients were evaluated. Two intrabony defects present in contra-lateral quadrants in each patient were randomly allocated for each of the treatment methods employed. Control group (n=30) were treated by open debridement with the papilla preservation flaps, while the test group (n=30) also received a topical application of rhFGF-2/HA in the intrabony defect. The parameters evaluated, at baseline and after one year, were, were probing depth (PD), gingival recession (REC), probing attachment level (PAL) and probing bone level (PBL). The primary outcome measures was PAL gain Results: Test sites exhibited significantly more PD reduction (5.5 versus 2.9mm), PAL gains (4.8 versus 2.2mm) and shallower residual PD (4.2 versus 6.6mm) than controls. Moreover, residual PD smaller than 5mm (100 versus 0%) and PAL gain > 4mm (60 versus 20%) was significantly more frequent in the test group Conclusion: Application of rhFGF-2/HA significantly improved clinical parameters of periodontal wound healing one year after treatment.