Predictability and Clinical Stability of Barrier Membranes in Treatment of Periodontal Intrabony Defects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The adjunctive use of GTR membranes helps us to achieve predictable periodontal regen-eration. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate and compare the treatment efficacy of resorbable versus non-resorbable barrier membranes used in guided tissue regeneration in the treat-ment of intrabony defects in chronic periodontitis patients. The following databases were searched: Medline, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trails (CENTRAL), SCOPUS, EMBASE. Ran-domized clinical trials (RCTs) published in English languages over the past 25 years were included. The primary outcomes assessed were: Change of probing pocket depth (PD), change in clinical attach¬ment level (CAL) and gingival recession coverage (GRC), and intrabony defect fill (IBDF). A total of eight RCTs were included for systematic review. The outcome of GR at a six-month interval revealed a significant difference in treatment effect with a mean difference of 0.42, 95% CI [0.02, 0.81]; Z = 2.09, (p = 0.04) favouring the resorbable membrane group. The intrabony defect depth fill at a 12-month interval revealed a significant difference in treatment effect with MD of 0.79, p = 0.00001; favoring the resorbable membrane group. The resorbable membrane showed a significant improvement in gingival recession coverage and intrabony defect fill, owing to its advantage of avoiding the second surgical intervention.