Vivosorb, Bio-Gide, and Gore-Tex as barrier membranes in rat mandibular defects: an evaluation by microradiography and micro-CT.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study were to determine whether a new degradable synthetic barrier membrane (Vivosorb) composed of poly(dl-lactide-epsilon-caprolactone) (PDLLCL) can be useful in implant dentistry and to compare it with collagen and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membranes.


METHODS
In 192 male Sprague-Dawley rats, a standardized 5 mm circular defect was created through the right angle of the mandible. New bone formation was evaluated by post-mortem microradiography and micro-CT (muCT) imaging. Four groups (control, PDLLCL, collagen, ePTFE) were evaluated at three time intervals (2, 4, and 12 weeks). In the membrane groups the defects were covered; in the control group the defects were left uncovered. Data were analysed using a multiple regression model.


RESULTS
New bone formation could be detected by post-mortem microradiography in 130 samples and by muCT imaging in 112 samples. Bone formation was progressive in 12 weeks, when the mandibular defect was covered with a membrane. Overall, more bone formation was observed underneath the collagen and ePTFE membranes than the PDLLCL membranes.


CONCLUSIONS
In contrast to uncovered mandibular defects, substantial bone healing was observed in defects covered with a PDLLCL membrane. However, bone formation in PDLLCL-covered defects tended to be less than in the defects covered with collagen or ePTFE. The high variation in the PDLLCL samples at 12 weeks may be caused by the moderate adherence of this membrane to bone compared with collagen. These results indicate that further study is needed to optimize the properties of PDLLCL membranes.
Gielkens
Pepijn F M
PF
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. p.f.m.gielkens@kchir.umcg.nl
Schortinghuis
Jurjen
J
de Jong
Johan R
JR
Raghoebar
Gerry M
GM
Stegenga
Boudewijn
B
Bos
Ruud R M
RR
D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000601:surgery*; D000818:Animals; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D003094:Collagen; D016557:Guided Tissue Regeneration, Periodontal / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008852:Microradiography; D011091:Polyesters; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
C106416:Bio-Gide; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011091:Polyesters; C062968:lactide-caprolactone copolymer; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D003094:Collagen