Regeneration of surgically removed buccal alveolar bone in dogs

The aim of the present study was to examine if the establishment of a new fibrous attachment to the root surfaces is accompanied by regeneration of surgically romoved buccal alveolar bone. The experiments were carried out in two dogs with healthy periodontal conditions. The marginal 5–7 mm of the buccal alveolar bone between the mesial and distal line angles of each root of one maxillary second and one mandibular third premolar in both dogs was removed after elevation of a muco‐peristeal flap. During this procedure attempts were made to minimize the mechanica injury to the root cementum and the supraalveolar connective tissue attachment. A notch was prepared in the root surfaces at the level of teh surgically esablished bone crest. This notch served as a landmark for measurements to be made in histological sections. The flaps were repositioned and sutured with interrupted mattress sutures. During the entire experimental period, meticulous plaque control was maintained. In each dog. the contralateral teeth served as non‐treated controls. The animals were sacrificed 8 months after sugery and sections of all test‐and control areas prepared for light microscopic examination. The results of the study demonstrated that in all experimental areas, new cementum formation and fibrous reattachment occurred in the supraalveolar area between the marginal bone crest and teh junctional epithlium. In only two out of eight test areas did the alveolar bone regenerate to or close ot the normal distance from the apical portion of the junctional epithelium whereas in the remaining six areas, a long supracrestal connective tissue attachment was present.