An experimental study of guided bone regeneration of bone defects in rabbit using rubber dam

ABSTRACT

guided tissue regeneration(GTR), as applied to bone healing, is based on the prevention of connective tissue from entering the bony defect during the healing phase. This allows the slower bone producing cells to migrate into and reproduce bone within the defect. The principle of guided tissue regeneration has demonstrated a level of success in regenerating bone defect. Several types of membrane barrier, each one with distinct properties, have been utilized to apply this principle in bone regeneration. The purpose of this study is to introduce and discuss the attributes of rubber dam as a barrier membrane and evaluate whether improved bone regeneration can be achieved by GTR using rubber dam. In the 15 NewZealand white rabbits, full-thickness bone defects on three sites of each rabbit calvaria were made. Non membrane group served as a control and experimental group 1 was covered with rubber dam and group 2 covered with Gore-TexTM membrane. Macroscopic, radiographic, microscopic examinations were made serially on 1, 2, 3, 6, 12 weeks after operation. The results were as follows 1. Macroscopically, the control site was collapsed and filled with connective tissue throughout the experimental period. But the defects of experimental groups 1 and 2 were filled with bone-like mass and showed the hard consistency on palpation. 2. Radiographically, the early new bone formation appeared similarly from the host bone in groups 1 and 2. 3. Microscopically, there were much connective tissue at the central part of control site but the defect of group 1 and 2 was filled with the mature bony trabeculae on the 12th week. This results suggest that rubber dam can be effectively used as a barrier membrane for guided bone regeneration.