Articoli

Buccal plate reconstruction with an intentionally exposed nonresorbable membrane: 1 year after loading results of a prospective study

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the barrier efect of a highdensity polytetrafluoroethylene (d-PTFE) membrane left intentionally exposed in post-extraction sockets grafted with an allograft biomaterial and removed after 5 weeks.

Materials and methods

Forty-seven hopeless teeth were extracted. Residual sockets were grafted with an allograft biomaterial and covered with a d-PTFE membrane. Six months later, 47 submerged implants were installed. Four months later, implants were uncovered and a temporary restoration was delivered. Outcomes were implant and prosthetic survival rate, complications, alveolar ridge width measurement, marginal bone loss (MBL) and gingival recession. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 3 years. The buccal plate was measured after tooth extraction (BPS), at implant placement (BPW) and at implant uncovering/loading (BBT).

Results

No deviation from the original protocol occurred. All of the implants were osseointegrated. None of the prostheses failed and no complications occurred during the follow-up. The mean BPS at the midpoint was 6.5 ± 1.5 mm (at the time of extraction; T0). At time of implant placement (T1), the mean BPW was 6.30 ± 1.30 mm, with a crestal reduction of 0.19 ± 0.34 mm (P = 0.0006). At implant uncovering/loading, the mean BBT was 1.7 ± 0.5 mm. One year after loading (T3), periapical radiographs revealed a mean MBL of 0.62 ± 0.16 mm, compared with T1. One year after initial loading there was no buccal gingival recession compared with T0, with a mean soft-tissue creeping of 0.8 ± 0.2 mm.

Conclusion

Buccal plate reconstruction with an intentionally exposed nonresorbable membrane is an effective and easy procedure for regeneration of a resorbed buccal bone plate.