Collagen membranes: A review

Collagen materials have been utilized in medicine and dentistry because of their proven biocompatability and capability of promoting wound healing. Fo r guided tissue regeneration (GTR) procedures, collagen membranes have been shown to be comparable to non-absorbable membranes with regard to probing depth reduction, clinical attachment gain, and percent of bone fill. Althou gh these membranes are absorbable, collagen membranes have been demonstrate d to prevent epithelial downgrowth along the root surfaces during the early phase of wound healing. The use of grafting material in combination with c ollagen membranes seems to improve clinical outcomes for furcation, but not intrabony, defects when compared to the use of membranes alone. Recently, collagen materials have also been applied in guided bone regeneration (GBR) and root coverage procedures with comparable success rates to non-absorbab le expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membranes and conventional sube pithelial connective tissue grafts, respectively. Long-term clinical trials are still needed to further evaluate the benefits of collagen membranes in periodontal and peri-implant defects. This article will review the rationa le for each indication and its related literature, both in vitro and in viv o studies. The properties that make collagen membranes attractive for use i n regenerative therapy will be addressed. In addition, varieties of cross-l inking techniques utilized to retard the degradation rate of collagen membr anes will be discussed.