Preservation of Alveolar Bone in Extraction Sockets Using Bioabsorbable Membranes

TLDR

The study evaluated the clinical effectiveness of a glycolide‑lactide bioabsorbable membrane for preserving alveolar ridges after tooth extraction using guided bone regeneration principles. Sixteen patients underwent a split‑mouth design where experimental extraction sockets were covered with the membrane and control sockets left uncovered, with titanium pins placed for measurement, flaps advanced for primary closure, and reentry surgeries performed at six months. The membrane sites showed no exposure, significantly less alveolar bone height loss, greater internal socket bone fill, and reduced horizontal ridge resorption, indicating the membrane’s value in preserving alveolar bone and preventing ridge defects. J Periodontol 1998;69:1044–1049.

Abstract

T he purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a bioabsorbable membrane made of glycolide and lactide polymers in preserving alveolar ridges following tooth extraction using a surgical technique based on the principles of guided bone regeneration. Sixteen patients requiring extractions of 2 anterior teeth or bicuspids participated in the study (split‐mouth design). Following elevation of buccal and lingual full‐thickness flaps and extraction of teeth, experimental sites were covered with bioabsorbable membranes; control sites did not receive any membrane. Titanium pins served as fixed reference points for measurements. Flaps were advanced in order to achieve primary closure of the surgical wound. No membrane became exposed in the course of healing. Reentry surgeries were performed at 6 months. Results showed that experimental sites presented with significantly less loss of alveolar bone height, more internal socket bone fill, and less horizontal resorption of the alveolar bone ridge. This study suggests that treatment of extraction sockets with membranes made of glycolide and lactide polymers is valuable in preserving alveolar bone in extraction sockets and preventing alveolar ridge defects. J Periodontol 1998;69:1044–1049 .