Guided bone regeneration using bone grafts and collagen membranes

When nonabsorbable membranes are used for guided bone regeneration (GBR), second surgeries are required for membrane retrieval. In addition, these types of membranes show a high incidence of flap sloughing and membrane exposure that often lead to infection and unfavorable results. Absorbable barriers such as collagen membranes were developed to overcome these drawbacks. This article presents the principles and the clinical procedure of using barrier membranes composed of absorbable collagen in GBR aimed at the repair and regeneration of ridge dehiscence defects around implants. The unique properties of collagen membranes that make them ideally suited to GBR procedures are reviewed. In addition, the indications and contraindications for using collagen membranes for GBR procedures are examined. Finally, cases are presented to demonstrate details of surgical principles and techniques.