M. Simion et al., Effect of different microstructures of e-PTFE membranes on bone regeneration and soft tissue response: a histologic study in canine mandible, CLIN OR IMP, 10(2), 1999, pp. 73-84
The purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of 3 types of ti
tanium reinforced e-PTFE membranes (GTRM #1, #2, and #3) on bone regenerati
on and tissue integration. GTRM #1 was a standard titanium reinforced membr
ane, GTRM #2 was a prototype characterized by a more open total surface mic
rostructure and GTRM #3 was a prototype characterized by two extremely poro
us external layers separated by a totally occlusive internal layer. The mem
branes were used to cover saddle type ridge defects surgically created in t
he mandible of 6 dogs. After a healing period of 6 months, all the membrane
protected sites demonstrated almost complete osseous healing of the defect
s. GTRM #3 specimens showed the most favourable biologic response, in fact
they were characterized by a larger surface of contact between the membrane
and the regenerated bone, but from a clinical point of view GTRM #3 materi
al was too difficult to remove. The results of this study suggest that an e
xtremely open porous microstructure, in combination with a totally occlusiv
e barrier, may provide significant improvements in regenerative outcomes. H
owever, these design characteristics may be applied only to resorbable devi
ces, which do not require removal.