Effects of enamel matrix derivative on clinical and inflammatory outcomes in periodontal maintenance patients: Randomized controlled clinical trial

Background: Efficient methods to treat persistent pockets during periodontal maintenance therapy (PMT) require further investigation. The hypothesis of this randomized controlled clinical trial was that local application of enamel matrix derivative (EMD) added to papilla reflection/root preparation (PR/RP) could enhance clinical and inflammatory outcomes, primarily clinical attachment level (CAL). Methods: Fifty PMT patients with generalized stage III-IV, grade B periodontitis presenting with a 6- to 9-mm interproximal PD were randomly allocated to (PR/RP+EMD; n = 24) and control (PR/RP+saline; n = 26) therapies by sex and smoking status. Roots were treated with reflection of interproximal papillae, root planing assisted with endoscope evaluation, and acid etching, followed by EMD or saline application. Probing depth (PD), CAL, plaque index (PI), and interproximal bone height were evaluated at baseline and 12-months post-therapy. Gingival crevicular fluid, bleeding on probing (BOP), and interleukin-1β were tested (ELISA) at baseline, 2 weeks, and 6 and 12 months. Groups were compared over time and between groups with Wilcoxon Rank Sum and t-tests. Results: Both PR/RP+ EMD and PR/RP+S resulted in significant improvements in clinical outcomes (PD and CAL, BOP) from baseline to 12 months. No significant differences were found in clinical or inflammatory outcomes between the experimental and control groups. Conclusions: The addition of EMD to PR/RP does not significantly improve clinical or inflammatory outcomes compared with PR/RP alone during periodontal maintenance therapy.