Guided bone regeneration with subperiosteal implants of PTFE and hydroxyapatite physical barriers in rats.

Regeneration of periodontal and alveolar ridge defects utilizing membranes is a well-established procedure in reconstructive surgery. Biomaterial characteristics and membrane design employed in guided tissue regeneration (GTR) techniques play an important role in good results. The purpose of this histologic experimental study in rats was to compare the use of two physical barriers in the osteopromotion by using GTR principles in bone defects created in tibias. Fifteen animals divided into 3 groups were used: group I (non-porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) barrier), group II (coral hydroxyapatite (HA) blocks), and group III (defects that received no physical barrier). Histological examination showed varied amounts of newly formed bone beneath both types of barriers. The non-porous PTFE barrier showed better results than the HA group. The results of this study suggest that bone regeneration can be successfully enhanced by a submerged membrane technique.