Evaluation of a Newly Designed Microperforated Titanium Membrane with Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate for Guided Bone Regeneration in Dog Mandibles

Purpose: This study evaluated the efficacy of newly designed, laser-perforated pure titanium membranes for guided bone regeneration using beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), and compared them with the existing membrane. Materials and Methods: Bilateral acute lateral ridge defects were created in the mandibles of 12 dogs (four defects per animal), which were then randomly divided into two groups (six dogs each). The twenty-four bone defects in each group were then further divided into five groups. The groups were as follows: (1) F001M0, a prototype membrane without a frame plus β-TCP (n = 5); (2) F001M1, a prototype membrane with a frame plus β-TCP (n = 5); (3) FBS, an existing control membrane plus β-TCP (n = 5); (4) control 1, β-TCP without membrane and with covering flap only (n = 5); and (5) control 2, no treatment (no β-TCP and no membrane) (n = 4). In all groups where β-TCP was used, it was mixed with peripheral blood. The animals were necropsied at 6 or 12 weeks postoperatively (six dogs each), and samples were collected and processed for radiographic, histologic, and histomorphometric analyses. Results: Among the three membrane groups, regenerated tissue and bone volume was greatest in the F001M1 group at both 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively, although differences among groups were not statistically significant. Bone mineral density was similar among the membrane groups. Histologic analysis revealed that immature fibroblasts were present on the laser-perforated portion at 6 weeks, which induced vascularization. In addition, more calcified bone was replaced beneath the prototypes than beneath the FBS membrane at 12 weeks. Histomorphometric analyses revealed that the calcific osseous areas at 12 weeks after surgery were significantly greater in the F001M1 and F001M0 groups than in the FBS group (P = .021, P = .032). Furthermore, the fibrous tissue areas beneath the membrane at 12 weeks postoperatively were significantly smaller in the prototype groups than in the FBS group (P = .02, P = .02). Conclusion: The efficacies of both prototype membranes were not inferior to that of the FBS membrane, indicating that they may facilitate bone regeneration and maturation when β-TCP mixed with autologous blood is employed. Keywords: barrier membrane, beta-tricalcium phosphate, guided bone regeneration, mandible, titanium membrane, ultrafine microperforation