The effect of overlaying titanium mesh with collagen membrane for ridge preservation.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of overlaying titanium mesh (TM) with an adjunctive collagen membrane (CM) for preserving the buccal bone when used in association with immediate implant placement in dogs.


METHODS
Immediate implant placements were performed in the mesial sockets of the third premolars of five dogs. At one site the TM was attached to the fixture with the aid of its own stabilizers and then covered by a CM (CM group), while the contralateral site received only TM (TM group). Biopsy specimens were retrieved for histologic and histomorphometric analyses after 16 weeks.


RESULTS
All samples exhibited pronounced buccal bone resorption, and a high rate of TM exposure was noted (in three and four cases of the five samples in each of the TM and CM groups, respectively). A dense fibrous tissue with little vascularity or cellularity had infiltrated through the pores of the TM irrespective of the presence of a CM. The distances between the fixture platform and the first bone-implant contact and the bone crest did not differ significantly between the TM and CM groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests that the additional use of a CM over TM does not offer added benefit for mucosal healing and buccal bone preservation.
Department of Periodontology, Kyung Hee University School of Dentistry, Seoul, Korea.
Hyun-Chang
HC
Lim
Department of Periodontology, Research Institute for Periodontal Regeneration, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Korea.
Jung-Seok
JS
Lee
Department of Periodontology, Research Institute for Periodontal Regeneration, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Korea.
Seong-Ho
SH
Choi
Department of Periodontology, Research Institute for Periodontal Regeneration, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Korea.
Ui-Won
UW
Jung
Bone regeneration; Bone resorption; Dental implants; Postoperative complications; Tooth extraction