RESORBABLE VERSUS NONRESORBABLE MEMBRANES IN COMBINATION WITH BIO-OSSFOR GUIDED BONE REGENERATION

The purpose of this clinical investigation was to compare the new reso rbable collagen membrane, Bio-Gide, to the conventional expanded polyt etrafluoroethylene material (Gore-Tex) for guided bone regeneration in situations involving exposed implant surfaces. Over a 2-year period, 25 split-mouth patients were treated randomly: one defect site was tre ated with Bio-Gide and the other defect site with Gore-Tex; all 84 def ects were filled with Bio-Oss and covered with the respective membrane , The defect types, their dimensions, and their morphology were measur ed in detail initially and at re-entry to allow for calculation of the exposed implant surface. Changes in defect surface for both types of membranes were statistically significant (P < .0001); however; no stat istical significance (P > .94) could be detected between the two membr anes. The mean average percentage of bone fill was 92% for Bio-Gide an d 78% for Gore-Tex sites. In the latter group, 44% wound dehiscences a nd/or premature membrane removal occurred. The resorbable membrane, Bi o-Gide, in combination with a bone graft, can be a useful alternative to the well-established expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membranes.