Guiding Bone Regeneration with a Novel Biodegradable Polymeric Membrane and Bioceramic Bone Grafts around Dental Implants

The aim of this study is to evaluate treatment effects of novel GBR membranes (PDLLA membranes) applied to bony defects around dental implants on new bone regeneration alone or in combination with bioceramic bone graft (BIO-OSS®) on the mongrel dog model in comparison with collagen membrane (BIO-GIDE®) and therefore to assess the clinical values of the novel GBR membranes and bioceramic bone graft material in dental implantology. 6 implants were placed in bilateral mandibular of each mongrel dog after preparation of mid- crestal defects. The defects on one side were covered with PDLLA membranes alone or with bone graft, while the contra-lateral sides received collagen membranes alone or with bone graft. These animals were sacrificed at 2, 4, 8,12 weeks post the GBR-operation. And gross sample examination, standardized radiographs, 99mTc-MDP SPECT and histomorphometric analysis were taken. All examinations showed similar amounts of newly formed bone beneath both types of barriers. The PDLLA or collagen membrane with bone graft groups showed better results than the membrane used alone groups. The results indicated that PDLLA membranes especially with bioceramic bone graft presented an improved response in dealing with bony defects around implants.