Bone regeneration in extraction sites after immediate placement of an e-PTFE membrane with or without a biomaterial - A report on 12 consecutive cases

The efficacy in restoring a buccal dehiscence after tooth extraction has been studied in 12 consecutive cases using guided bone regeneration with (6 patients) or without (6 patients) a biomaterial (DFDBA or Bio Oss(R)) beneath an e-PTFE membrane. A correlation between the clinical impression of density at drilling time and the histological signs of bone formation has been evaluated too. The membrane was removed after 6 or 9 months and a biopsy was performed. Clinically, GBR was highly predictable for regeneration of the alveolar bone after tooth extraction with buccal dehiscence. The histology fully confirmed the clinical and radiographical results, showing bone formation in all cases with individual variations in the amount of bone formed. 6-month biopsies from the membrane sites had lamellar bone with large medullary spaces, while a good bone density was observed at 9 months. The membrane/biomaterial sites demonstrated mineralization and large amounts of allograft at 6 months. Thus, bone regeneration seems to take more time when grafting material is used.