Effect of flap placement and defect size on healing of experimental furcation defects

Through‐and‐through furcation defects were experimentally created in one group of monkeys (Study 1) and in one group of dogs (Study 2). The effect of reconstructive periodontal surgery using citric acid conditioning of the instrumented root surfaces was studied. Two experimental variables were investigated: (1) variation of the placement and suturing of the flaps and (2) variation of the size of the furcation defects. The results of these studies indicate that adequate postoperative flap coverage of the furcations seems to be critical for successful healing of the furcation defects. Variations in the vertical dimension of the defects seems to play a secondary role. Future studies in experimental animals should evaluate methods which will provide improved post‐operative coverage of the furcation area during healing of furcation defects in human patients.