BACKGROUND:Numerous experimental and clinical observations have shown new attachment formation in the periodontium by guided tissue regeneration. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the efficacy of guided tissue regeneration combined with bone grafting for the treatment of root furcation defects. METHODS:A computer-based online search combined with manual retrieval was conducted up to 2015 to screen the relevant English and Chinese literatures addressing guided tissue regeneration, bone grafting, and root furcation defects. Vertical and horizontal probing depth and attachment loss were analyzed. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata/SE version 12.0 software by extracting data from the relevant articles. Moreover, the publication bias was tested. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The meta-analysis results showed that at 6 months after treatment, the alterations in vertical probing depth and periodontal attachment were significantly increased after guided tissue regeneration compared with open-flap debridement (P<0.000 01);the alterations and increment in the periodontal attachment were significantly increased after combined treatment of guided tissue regeneration and bone grafting compared with open-flap debridement (P<0.000 01);the reduction in the vertical and horizontal probing depth and the increment in periodontal attachment were significantly increased after combined treatment of guided tissue regeneration and bone grafting compared with guided tissue regeneration (P<0.000 01 or P=0.01). At 12 months after treatment, the reduction in vertical probing depth and the increment in attachment loss were significantly increased after combined treatment of guided tissue regeneration and bone grafting compared with guided tissue regeneration (P<0.000 01). These results indicate that the guided tissue regeneration combined with bone grafting in the treatment of root furcation defects is superior to guided tissue regeneration or open-flap debridement. In addition, in the latter two therapies, guided tissue regeneration shows a better therapeutic effect. However, the therapeutic effects of various types of regenerated membranes and bone grafts need further in-depth study to define the optimal treatment strategy.