Vertical bone augmentation using a polytetrafluoroethylene nonporous barrier for osseointegrated implants partially inserted in tibiae of rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of obtaining guided bone regeneration using a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) nonporous barrier for 2 endosseous implants, partially inserted in tibiae of rabbits.


METHODS
Histologic characteristics of the interface between titanium implants (one group with titanium plasma-coated implants and the other group with acid-treated surfaces) and of the regenerated bone were also studied. Twenty screw-vent implants were placed in tibiae of 5 male New Zealand rabbits, 2 at the right side and 2 at the left side, protruding 3 mm from the bone level, to create a horizontal bone defect. At the experimental group the implants were protected with a PTFE nonporous barrier, whereas no barriers were used in contralateral implants. Animals were sacrificed 3 months after surgery and biopsy specimens were evaluated histologically and histomorphometrically under light microscopy. Student's t test was used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
The histologic measurements showed a mean gain in bone height of 2.15 and 2.42 mm for the barrier group and 1.95 and 0.43 mm for the control group, for the titanium plasma-spray and acid-treated implant surfaces, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the investigation revealed that the placement of implants protruding 3 mm from crestal bone defects may result in vertical bone augmentation using a nonporous PTFE barrier.
Department of Diagnosis and Surgery, Periodontics Division, UNESP, São Paulo State University-São José dos Campos Dental School, SP 12245-000, Brazil. nelson@fosjc.unesp.br
Nelson Luiz
NL
de Macedo
Adriana
A
do Socorro Ferreira Monteiro
Luís Guilherme Scavone
LG
de Macedo
D000818:Animals; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods; D015921:Dental Implants; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration / Q000379:methods*; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D008297:Male; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D016348:Osseointegration; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011817:Rabbits; D013499:Surface Properties; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery; D014025:Titanium
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D015921:Dental Implants; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D014025:Titanium