The effect of topical citric acid application on the healing of experimental furcation defects in dogs

Chronic periodontal disease was induced and through‐and‐through furcation pockets created in mandibular premolars in two groups of beagles consisting of five and six animals respectively. The furcation defects were treated by surgical debridement supplemented with citric acid conditioning of the instrumented root surface. The relative importance of three adjunctive therapeutic measures was assessed. Thus, the effect of systemic antibiotics was evaluated by inter‐group comparison. Gelfoam as a matrix support for the blood coagulum during healing was evaluated by intraindividual, contralateral comparisons in one group of animals. Coronal repositioning of the muco‐periosteal flaps was evaluated by contralateral comparisons in the second group of animals. Block specimens for histological evaluation were removed six weeks after surgery. A high rate of regeneration and new attachment of the furcations was obtained irrespective of the use of systemic antibiotics, Gelfoam and high or low flap positioning. Thus, topical acid application seems to be the crucial therapeutic factor in achieving new attachment in the present model of through‐and‐through furcation pockets.