Membrane-free guided tissue regeneration with enamel matrix derivative and bone graft materials improves 3-dimensional periodontal outcomes in small dogs.

Membrane-free GTR using EMD with bone grafts achieved significant periodontal regeneration in all treated canine infrabony defects.

This retrospective study evaluated membrane-free guided tissue regeneration (GTR) using enamel matrix derivative (EMD) combined with bone graft materials in client-owned dogs with vertical infrabony periodontal defects. Twenty defects in 16 dogs were treated between August 2023 and September 2025, with equal numbers receiving allograft or xenograft materials. Outcomes were assessed using 2-D clinical and radiographic measurements—clinical attachment loss (CAL) and vertical bone defect ratio (VBDR)—as well as 3-D volumetric analysis via cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Success criteria included CAL improvement of ≥1 mm and VBDR reduction of >10%. All 20 defects met success criteria at a median follow-up of 7 months. Median CAL improved from 5.0 mm to 2.0 mm, and median VBDR decreased from 0.42 to 0.18. Volumetric analysis demonstrated a median infrabony defect fill of 98.49%. This membrane-free approach eliminates the technical difficulties associated with barrier membrane placement, particularly relevant in small-breed dogs where anatomical constraints limit conventional GTR techniques. Both allograft and xenograft materials appeared effective. The authors note that this retrospective design and absence of a control group limit definitive conclusions, and prospective controlled studies are needed. Nevertheless, the results suggest that membrane-free GTR with EMD represents a practical, tooth-preserving regenerative option for appropriately selected canine patients with vertical infrabony periodontal defects.

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