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 $4.57{\pm}0.28$, $4.56{\pm}0.41$, and $4.64{\pm}0.27mm$ (mean ${\pm}$ standard deviation), respectively; the corresponding values for epithelial adhesion were $1.41{\pm}0.51$, $0.85{\pm}0.29$, and $0.30{\pm}0.41mm$ (P<0.05), the heights of new bone regeneration were $1.32{\pm}0.44$, $1.65{\pm}0.52$, and $1.93{\pm}0.61mm$ (P<0.05), and the cementum regeneration values were $1.15{\pm}0.42$, $1.81{\pm}0.46$, and $2.57{\pm}0.56mm$ (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.