Successful Case of Periodontal Tissue Repair With Fibroblast Growth Factor‐2: Long‐Term Follow‐Up and Comparison to Enamel Matrix Derivative

Introduction: Basic fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2) is a stimulatory agent for periodontal tissue regeneration and is efficacious on alveolar bone defects in periodontitis patients. Although cases treated with FGF‐2 have been reported, to the best of our knowledge, there is no information concerning long‐term observation of FGF‐2–treated cases. In this case report, a successful case treated with FGF‐2 over 9 years of follow‐up is described and compared to a case treated with enamel matrix derivative (EMD) in the same patient. Case Presentation: A phase 2A clinical trial of FGF‐2 application for periodontal regeneration therapy was conducted from 2001 to 2004. A 52‐year‐old female patient with periodontitis and symmetric bone defects at teeth #3 and #14 was selected. When flap surgery was performed, FGF‐2 (tooth #3) and EMD (tooth #14) were applied to the vertical bone defects that had progressed in the mesial sites. Clinical attachment gain and bone height time‐dependently increased at site #3. Direct observation of alveolar bone of site #3 at 36 weeks demonstrated recovery of mesial bone defect and furcation lesion. When the clinical parameters were compared between the sites, attachment gain and bone recovery rate were greater in site #3 than in site #14. These conditions have been maintained for 9 years. Conclusion: The present case report shows that topical application of FGF‐2 induced marked periodontal tissue repair in a vertical bone defect and a furcation lesion of the upper first molar, which has been well maintained for 9 years.