EVALUATION OF A BIOABSORBABLE PHYSICAL BARRIER FOR GUIDED BONE REGENERATION - PART I - MATERIAL ALONE

This study evaluates a prototype bioabsorbable physical barrier materi al for guided bone regeneration. Nonspacemaking dehiscence-type defect s were surgically created in the right and left mandibles of six adult dogs. Each animal received six roof-form threaded titanium implants. The osseous defects were randomized to receive treatment by either the prototype bioabsorbable barrier composed of a copolymer of lactide an d glycolide, an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene nonresorbable barrier ; or no barrier (control). Clinical and histologic results after 3.5 m onths of wound healing indicated that exposed threads were covered whe n treated with the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene barrier Minimal th read coverage was evident with the bioabsorbable barrier and the contr ol.