J Periodontal Implant Sci. 2026 Jun 15. doi: 10.5051/jpis.2601920096. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study evaluated the regenerative potential of a novel polyethylene glycol (PEG)-chitosan hydrogel as an alternative to a conventional collagen membrane for guided tissue regeneration (GTR) of class II furcation defects in a canine model.
METHODS: Standardized class II furcation defects were created in the maxillary third and fourth premolars of 6 beagle dogs. Sites were randomly allocated to 4 groups: 1) sham control, 2) particulate biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) with a cross-linked collagen membrane (O3CM), 3) collagenated BCP with a collagen membrane (O3ColCM), and 4) particulate BCP with PEG-chitosan hydrogel (O3TG). After 8 weeks, specimens were processed for histological and histomorphometric analyses. The primary outcome was hard tissue area (HTA) within a predefined 3-mm region of interest.
RESULTS: Histologically, O3TG showed consolidated graft particles in close contact with the surrounding tissues and new bone formation extending coronally from the defect base, with no notable inflammatory response. Histomorphometric analysis revealed no statistically significant differences among the groups. Median HTA values ranged from 1.55 mm² in O3TG to 1.92 mm² in the control group (P=0.997). The non-filled area tended to be smaller in O3CM (0.68 mm²) and O3TG (0.66 mm²) than in the control group (1.14 mm²) and O3ColCM (1.58 mm²), although the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.258).
CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, PEG-chitosan hydrogel achieved regenerative outcomes comparable to those of collagen membrane-based GTR while stabilizing BCP particles without adverse inflammation. Given its ease of handling and biocompatibility, PEG-chitosan hydrogel may represent a clinician-friendly alternative to collagen membranes for periodontal regeneration in class II furcation defects.
PMID:42596715 | DOI:10.5051/jpis.2601920096
