Alveolar ridge augmentation by combining autogenous mandibular bone grafts and non-resorbable membranes

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of using mandibular cortical bone grafts covered with e-PTFE membranes for maxillary alveolar ridge augmentation, in comparison with the use of mandibular cortical grafts alone. The experiment was carried out in 20 rats. At one side of the maxillary jaw, the edentulous alveolar ridge between the incisor and the first molar was augmented by means of an autogenous mandibular bone graft, which was fixed with a titanium microimplant and covered with a Teflon membrane. The contralateral side, serving as control, was treated the same way, except for the placement of a membrane. Histological analysis at 15, 30, 60 and 90 days after surgery demonstrated that, in situations where the membrane was not exposed to the oral cavity during healing, the mandibular bone grafts presented no resorption and were in continuity with the maxillary bone at the recipient site. In situations where the membrane had become exposed, however, the bone grafts presented extensive resorption and lack of continuity with the bone at the recipient site. These latter findings were similar to those made at the non-membrane-treated side. The results indicate that the volume of autogenous bone graft used for alveolar ridge augmentation can be retained by covering the graft with a membrane, provided that the membrane is properly adapted and is kept covered with mucosa during healing.