Generation of new bone around titanium implants using a membrane technique: an experimental study in rabbits.

TLDR

Insufficient bone volume is a significant issue for dental implants. The study tested a guided tissue regeneration technique to generate bone around titanium implants. Rabbits had titanium implants placed in tibiae, and a porous Teflon membrane was positioned around exposed implant surfaces to create a secluded osteogenic space and block soft‑tissue ingrowth. Membrane use resulted in complete bone coverage of implant threads, indicating that the technique could be clinically applied to generate new bone around exposed titanium implants.

Abstract

Insufficient bone volume may be a significant problem in connection with dental implants. In this study, a technique based on the principle of guided tissue regeneration was tested for its ability to generate bone tissue around titanium implants. Implants were inserted in tibiae of rabbits. To create a secluded space for osteogenesis and to prevent soft-tissue ingrowth, a porous Teflon membrane was placed around exposed parts of the implant. Where a membrane had been used, the threads of the implant were completely covered with significant amounts of new bone. This study indicates that the membrane technique is a reconstructive surgical method that may be applicable to create new bone around exposed parts of titanium implants in a clinical setting.