Comparative assessment of regenerative potential of 0.8% hyaluronic acid gel combined with deproteinized bovine bone mineral in the management of furcation defects: A randomized controlled clinical study.

Abstract

Background: Periodontal regeneration is particularly challenging in complex anatomical areas such as furcation defects. This study clinically and radiographically evaluated the outcomes of treating mandibular molar furcation defects in Stage II and III, Grade A and B periodontitis patients using either 0.8% hyaluronic acid (HA) gel combined with deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) or DBBM alone.

Materials and methods: A total of 20 furcation defects were treated. Group 1 received open flap debridement with DBBM alone, whereas Group 2 received DBBM mixed with 0.8% HA gel. An amniotic membrane (AM) was placed as the guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membrane for both the groups. Clinical parameters including plaque index (PlI), gingival index (GI), horizontal probing pocket depth (H-PPD), vertical probing pocket depth (V-PPD), and relative attachment level (RAL), along with radiographic parameters such as defect depth, bone fill (BF), and percentage bone fill (BF%), were recorded at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months.

Results: At 6 months, significant improvements were observed in both the groups, with Group 2 demonstrating superior outcomes. The PlI and GI showed mean reductions of 0.47 ± 0.06 and 0.56 ± 0.08, respectively. Group 2 exhibited greater reductions in H-PPD (3 ± 0.59 mm), V-PPD (4.7 ± 1.72 mm), and RAL (4.6 ± 1.02 mm). Radiographically, Group 2 showed a mean BF of 1.26 ± 0.35 mm at 3 months and 3.01 ± 0.41 mm at 6 months, with corresponding BF% values of 38.40 ± 6.04% and 83.80 ± 6.12%.

Conclusion: The combination of 0.8% HA gel with DBBM and AM demonstrated superior clinical and radiographic improvements in furcation defect management compared to DBBM alone.