Horizontal Ridge Augmentation with a Novel Resorbable Collagen Membrane: A Retrospective Analysis of 36 Consecutive Patients

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate a new resorbable, monolayer, noncross-linked collagen barrier membrane for immobilizing bone augmentation material during horizontal guided bone regeneration (GBR) procedures. GBR was performed on 36 consecutive patients in 49 sites, with 103 implants placed either simultaneously or after a healing period. Healing time, suture retention, postoperative complications, and functional outcome after GBR, implant placement, and prosthesis loading were assessed. A wound dehiscence rate of only 12% and a graft failure rate of 4% occurred. Mean healing time was 5.8 months for simultaneous placement and 7.9 + 4.8 months for two-stage procedures. The implant survival rate was 100% after a mean follow-up of 18.3 months from implantation. These early data demonstrate a low dehiscence rate and excellent potential of this new noncross-linked collagen membrane for use with horizontal ridge augmentation.