Statement of problem: Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) is an efficacious and predictable treatment modality for deep intrabony defects around natural teeth and abutments. However, long-term prognosis of abutments treated with regeneration has to be proven.
Purpose: This study investigated the long-term stability of clinical outcomes obtained with regeneration in strategically important abutments.
Material and methods: Sixteen deep intrabony defects around strategically important abutments in 16 patients were treated according to the principles of GTR. After completion of initial periodontal therapy and placement of long-term provisional fixed partial dentures, nonresorbable membranes were applied. Membranes were removed after 6 weeks. All patients remained in a supervised recall program. Final fixed partial dentures were placed 1 year after surgery. Clinical outcomes were evaluated at 1 year and then 4 to 8 years after surgery.
Results: Clinical attachment level gains of 5.3 +/- 1.8 mm, reductions in pocket depth (6.1 +/- 2 mm), and increases in the percentage of radiographic bone support (31% +/- 18%) were observed at 1 year. At long-term follow-up visits, clinical attachment levels remained stable with respect to 1 year (-0.1 +/- 0.6 mm; P =.4). The percentage of radiographic bone support slightly increased as compared with 1 year (1% +/- 3%, P =. 04), and pocket depths (0.8 +/- 0.8 mm, P =.004).
Conclusions: This study indicated that tooth support can be gained with GTR and maintained over time in patients recalled regularly.