Guided tissue generation in the temporal bone

Ten patients with malformations of the temporal bones were submitted to ins tallation of implants for anchorage of bone-anchored auricular epistheses o r bone-anchored hearing aids. Due to lack of bone in the temporal region, e xpanded polytetrafluoroethylene membranes were used to aid bone generation, each patient serving as his or her own control. It was found that bone for mation around the flange fixtures covered with membranes increased signific antly compared to the uncovered fixtures. It is concluded that the use of b arrier membranes is one way to support bone generation in temporal bones la cking sufficient bone for implant-related surgery.