Eight-week histological analysis on the effect of chitosan on surgically created one-wall intrabony defects in beagle dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the periodontal tissue regenerative effects of a chitosan/collagen sponge applied to preclinical one-wall intrabony defects surgically created in beagle dogs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 4 x 4 mm one-wall intrabony defects were surgically created in the bilateral maxillary first and third, and the mandibular second and fourth premolars. The surgical control group received a flap operation only, while the buffer control group was treated afterwards with a phosphate-buffered saline/collagen sponge (CS) and the chitosan group was treated with a chitosan/cs. The subjects were killed 8 weeks after the operation, and a comparative histological examination was performed. RESULTS: The amount of junctional epithelium migration was 2.30+/-1.24 mm in the surgical control group, 1.49+/-1.25 mm in the buffer control group, and 0.26+/-0.59 mm in the chitosan group. A significant difference was exhibited only between the surgical control and the chitosan group (p<0.05). The amount of connective tissue adhesion was 0.68+/-0.60, 1.07+/-0.91, and 0.41+/-0.42 mm in the surgical control, buffer control, and the chitosan group, respectively. The amount of cementum regeneration was 1.42+/-0.49, 1.60+/-0.41, and 3.46+/-0.78 mm in the surgical control, buffer control, and the chitosan group, respectively. A significant difference was seen between the chitosan group and the rest (p<0.01). The amount of alveolar bone regeneration was 1.00+/-0.77, 1.52+/-0.37, and 2.43+/-0.44 mm in the surgical control, buffer control, and the chitosan group, respectively. A significant difference was observed between the chitosan group and the rest (p