Devices and methods are provided for maintaining space to treat a periodontal defect adjacent to a tooth, the devices and methods comprise a supporting structure comprising a pin, or suture or mesh having a body configured to extend over the periodontal defect and hold gingival tissue above the defect, the supporting structure having a first end configured to retain the supporting structure against at least a portion of the tooth and a second end configured to be attached or implanted in or on at least a portion of bone adjacent to the periodontal defect. The devices and methods provided maintain space between at least gingival tissue and the periodontal ligament and avoid compression of any bone replacement material in the defect. In some embodiments, the devices and methods provided can be removed from the healed periodontal defect without the need to cut into healed soft tissue.
