A retrospective study of 237 sites treated consecutively with guided tissue regeneration
This study evaluated 237 sites treated with GTAM in 103 patients. It examined effects of material exposure, the use of different "rafting materials, and fixture placement (extraction socket or edentulous ridge) on bone regeneration. After implant placement, GTAM was placed over sites where there were exposed threads and over implants placed in fresh extraction sites. DFDBA, FDBA, or a mixture of the two was placed under material to create space in those cases where the morphology of the defect precluded the creation of a space with the material alone. When GTAM was exposed, the material was removed in a maximum of eight weeks postsurgery. In the sites where material was not exposed, the material was removed at the second-stage implant procedure, usually between three and six months postsurgery. The substance that covered the threads had the clinical appearance of bone. There was no difference between the use of no graft and FDBA or a combination of FDBA and DFDBA. However, differences were found that support the use of combinations of DFDBA and FDBA or FDBA alone over the use of DFDBA alone. [E.L.H.]
Shanaman, R.H., Int J Periodont Restor Dent, 14:293, 1994