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

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.