A Comparison of the Effect of Barrier Membranes on Clinical and Histologic Hard and Soft Tissue Healing with Ridge Preservation

Twenty patients completed this randomized, controlled, blinded clinical trial comparing ridge preservation with a bioabsorbable polylactic acid membrane (PLA group) compared to an acellular dermal matrix membrane guided bone regeneration (ADMG group). An intrasocket corticocancellous allograft plus a facial overlay xenograft was used for both groups. Final crestal ridge width was significantly greater for the ADMG group (P .05). Soft tissue thickness, conversely, was thicker for the PLA group. Vertical ridge height change increased significantly for the midbuccal site of the ADMG group. Histologic evaluation showed high percentages of vital bone for both groups.