Periodontal healing using a collagen matrix with periodontal ligament progenitor cells in a dehiscence defect model in beagle dogs

PURPOSE: To histologically characterize periodontal healing at 8 weeks in surgically created dehiscence defects in beagle dogs that received a collagen matrix with periodontal ligament (PDL) progenitor cells. METHODS: The bilateral maxillary premolars and first molars in 6 animals were used. Standardized experimental dehiscence defects were made on the buccal side of 3 premolars, and primary culturing of PDL progenitor cells was performed on the molars. Collagen matrix was used as a scaffold and a delivery system for PDL progenitor cells. The experimental sites were grafted with collagen matrix (COL), PDL progenitor cells with collagen matrix (COL/CELL), or left without any material (CTL). Histologic and histomorphometric analyses were performed after 8 weeks. RESULTS: The defect height from the cementoenamel junction to the most apical point of cementum removal did not significantly differ across the CTL, COL, and COL/CELL groups, at 4.57±0.28, 4.56±0.41, and 4.64±0.27 mm (mean ± standard deviation), respectively; the corresponding values for epithelial adhesion were 1.41±0.51, 0.85±0.29, and 0.30±0.41 mm (P<0.05), the heights of new bone regeneration were 1.32±0.44, 1.65±0.52, and 1.93±0.61 mm (P<0.05), and the cementum regeneration values were 1.15±0.42, 1.81±0.46, and 2.57±0.56 mm (P<0.05). There was significantly more new bone formation in the COL/CELL group than in the CTL group, and new cementum length was also significantly higher in the COL/CELL group. However, there were no significant differences in the width of new cementum among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: PDL progenitor cells carried by a synthetic collagen matrix may enhance periodontal regeneration, including cementum and new bone formation.