Randomised Controlled Clinical Study Evaluating Two Membranes for Guided Bone Regeneration

The aim of the present study was to test whether or not one of two GBR membranes is superior to the other in terms of: i) vertical defect resolution and bucco-oral width of regenerated bone at the implant shoulder after 6 months, ii) postoperative complications and during the 6-month follow-up and, iii) histologically assessed newly formed bone at 6 months. In 27 patients, 27 implants were placed in single-tooth gaps. The augmented dehiscence defects were then randomly covered with either a resorbable membrane or a titanium-reinforced non-resorbable membrane. Both treatment modalities were clinically and radiologically effective in regenerating bone on the buccal aspect of single tooth dental implants showing dehiscence- type defects. Despite a higher initial horizontal thickness, sites with the resorbable membrane experienced a significantly higher reduction in bone thickness after 6 months compared to the non- resorbable membrane. Keywords: dental implants, guided bone regeneration, membrane, CBCT