Bone and microvasculature during guided tissue regeneration.

Abstract

Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) attempts to promote new connective tissue fiber attachment and new cementum formation by excluding gingival epithelium and connective tissue proliferation into the wound adjacent to the root surface, which is done by creating space between the inner surface of the barrier membrane and the root surface. Using microvascular corrosion casts of the bone, we studied the sequential changes that occurred in the socket following tooth extraction and determined the correlation between new vascularization and bone formation during the healing process when various membranes were placed on the socket. Although the barrier membrane maintained space between the gingiva and bone for tissue regeneration and bone formation, it did not actively promote tissue growth. Therefore, although the membrane did not accelerate healing of the socket, it increased the amount of bone formed. We found that proper use of the membrane was necessary for GTR. Although the barrier membrane was useful for alveolar bone regeneration, its promotion of tissue regeneration was less than perfect from a microvasculatural point of view.