[Progress of researches on guided bone regeneration membrane]

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is a technique utilizing membrane as a physical barrier to separate and create a secluded space around the bone defect. This permits the regeneration of bone tissue and reduces the fast growth of connective tissues. Moreover, GBR membranes sustain a protected space during tissue-healing period. Nowadays there are many kinds of GBR membranes used in study and practice, and each of them has its characteristic merits and defects respectively. This paper reviews the studies of GBR membranes, with the emphases on the structure and properties of membrane materials as well as their biological functions.