Root Coverage Using Porcine Collagen Matrix With and Without Fibroblast Growth Factor-2: A Pilot Study in Dogs

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) used in combination with porcine collagen matrix (CM) for coverage of gingival recession defect in dogs.
Methods: In 5 beagle dogs, labial gingival recession defects were surgically created in the lower third incisors bilaterally. The defects were randomly treated to the CM/FGF-2 group (experimental) or the CM only group (control). The standardized clinical photographs were taken at 4 and 16 weeks of healing and silicone impressions were taken after 16 weeks of healing for calculating the remained recession area. The dogs were euthanized after 16 weeks for histometric analysis.
Results: At 4 weeks, the recession area of CM/FGF-2 group showed significantly smaller than that of the CM only group at 4 weeks (2.55±0.96 and 4.92±1.05 mm², respectively, p=0.023) as well as higher root coverage rate (1.55 ± 0.44 and 0.88 ± 0.51 %, respectively, p=0.024). However, no significant difference was observed in the recession area at 16 weeks (p>0.05). Histometrically, the amount of newly formed cementum was larger in the CM/FGF-2 group than the CM only group at 16 weeks (1.55 ± 0.44 and 0.88 ± 0.51 mm, respectively, p=0.024).
Conclusions: Utilization of CM as a soft tissue substitute for treatment of the gingival recession failed to completely cover the exposed root surface regardless of adjunctive use of FGF-2, which may enhance the clinical outcomes of root coverage procedure using CM.