October 2022

Aim: The aim of this study was to clinically evaluate the regenerative potential of rhFGF- 2 impregnated collagen membranes in sites with multiple gingival recession defects. Methodology: One site in each subject was randomly assigned into each of the following experimental groups; Test (FGF-2)(n=20) and control groups(C)(n=20) wherein, gingival recession defects were treated with rhFGF-2 impregnated collagen scaffolds and plain absorbable collagen scaffolds respectively. Outcomes recorded were recession depth (RD), width of keratinized gingiva (wKG) and gingival thickness (GT) at baseline, 3 & 6-months. FGF-2 levels were evaluated in the GCF samples from sites within both the groups at 1,3 & 6-weeks. Results: FGF-2 sites showed significant (3.88±0.33 vs 3.34±0.51; p=0.04) increase in wKG from baseline to 3-months and 6-months respectively over C-group sites. At 6-months, FGF-2 sites showed highly significant (1.38±0.99 vs 2.13±0.62; p≤0.001) decrease in RD as well. No changes in GT were seen between both the groups at all time frames. Significantly higher FGF-2 levels (pg/mL) were seen from FGF-2 sites at 1-week (p≤0.001), 3-weeks (p≤0.001) and 6-weeks (p=0.03) when compared to C-group. Conclusion: rhFGF-2 impregnated collagen scaffolds seem to confer additional benefits over plain collagen membranes in terms of recession coverage and healing following mucogingival procedures.