Evaluation of a bioresorbable collagen membrane of fish origin in the treatment of periodontal intrabony defects: A prospective clinical study

BACKGROUND: Recently, there has been interest in non-mammalian collagen sources such as fish collagen in the development of biomatrices and scaffolds for periodontal regeneration. In the present study, a novel collagen barrier membrane of fish origin was assessed in the treatment of periodontal intra-bony defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten systemically healthy chronic periodontitis patients having an osseous defect in the mandibular posterior teeth were selected and following the open flap debridement, a collagen membrane was placed over the defect and the flap was sutured with interrupted sutures. Clinical parameters such as Plaque Index, Gingival Bleeding Index, probing pocket depth (PPD), relative attachment level (RAL), and recession (R) were recorded at baseline, 6 and 9 months, whereas radiographic evaluation was done to assess alveolar crestal bone level and defect depth fill at 6 and 9 months using Auto-computer aided design (ACAD) 2007 software. Statistical significance was set at 5% level of significance. RESULTS: There was statistical significant differences with respect to periodontal clinical parameters such as Plaque Index, Gingival Bleeding Index, PPD, RAL, and gingival recession assessed at baseline, at 6 and 9 months respectively (P < 0.05), and radiographic evaluation showed a defect fill of 58.62 median % at 9 months. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study has shown predictable results in using fish collagen membrane, for treating periodontal intra-bony defects. Further, long-term clinical trials are needed to validate the effectiveness of this membrane.