Periodontal surgery using rhFGF‐2 with deproteinized bovine bone mineral or rhFGF‐2 alone: 2‐year follow‐up of a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Aim To compare outcomes of rhFGF‐2 + DBBM therapy with rhFGF‐2 alone in the treatment of intrabony defects. This study provides 2‐year follow‐up results from the previous randomized controlled trial. Materials and Methods Defects were randomly allocated to receive rhFGF‐2 + DBBM (test) or rhFGF‐2 (control). Treated sites were re‐evaluated at 2 years postoperatively, using original clinical and patient‐centred measures. Results Thirty‐eight sites were available for re‐evaluation. At 2 years, both groups showed a significant improvement in clinical attachment level (CAL) from baseline. A gain in CAL of 3.4 ± 1.3 mm in the test group and 3.1 ± 1.5 mm in the control group was found. No significant inter‐group difference was noted. Both groups showed a progressive increase in radiographic bone fill (RBF). The test treatment yielded greater RBF (56%) compared with the control group (41%). The control treatment performed better in contained defects in terms of CAL and RBF. There was no significant difference in patient‐reported outcomes between groups. Conclusions At 2‐year follow‐up, the test and cotrol treatments were similarly effective in improving CAL, whereas the test treatment achieved a significantly greater RBF. In both treatments, favourable clinical, radiographic, and patient‐reported outcomes can be sustained for at least 2 years. Trial registration The University Hospital Medical Information Network‐Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN‐CTR) 000025257.