GUIDED BONE REGENERATION IN DENTAL IMPLANT TREATMENT USING A BIOABSORBABLE MEMBRANE

The aim of this study was to evaluate an osteopromotive technique, usi ng a bioabsorbable membrane, for its ability to restitute bone over bu ccal fenestration and dehiscence defects following fixture installatio n. 11 patients requiring dental implant treatment and exhibiting suffi cient vertical height of the maxilla and compromised bucco-palatal dim ensions, as determined clinically and radiographically, were included in the study. 17 Branemark(R) titanium fixtures were placed with bucca l defects which were augmented by a bioabsorbable membrane, Resolut(R) . No complications were observed postoperatively. At 6-8 months, abutm ent connection was performed, and clinical evaluation of the healed de fect area was made. The number of exposed buccal threads at fixture in stallation (median 8; range 2-19), and abutment connection (median 0; range 0-5), respectively, was compared. Out of the 17 fixtures; 14 exh ibited complete coverage with bone, whereas 3 showed some remaining th reads. A small punch biopsy taken at abutment connection in an area wh ere the membrane had been placed showed a combination of dense connect ive tissue and bone. Radiographic evaluation of the marginal periimpla nt bone level is in progress and results to date show a median bone lo ss of 1.2 mm after a loading period of 4-6 months. Results show that f ixture dehiscence and fenestrations, augmented with this bioabsorbable membrane, demonstrate a highly significant amount of new bone formati on.