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Updated: May 23, 2026
Biological Compatibility Profile on Biomaterials for Bone Regeneration
Published on: November 16, 2018
Biological complication in guided bone regeneration with a polylactic acid membrane: a case report
Lian Ping Mau1, Chih-Wen Cheng, Ping-Yen Hsieh
1Department of Periodontics, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan. lianpingmau@yahoo.com.tw
Purpose:
This case report describes a biologic complication related to polylactic acid membrane in guided bone regeneration (GBR).
Materials And Methods:
A healthy 42-year-old patient complained of persistent discomfort of the maxillary anterior gingiva. Clinical examination and radiographs showed severe periodontal destruction of teeth 7 through 10. Teeth extraction was followed by early implant placement with GBR.
Results:
Four months later, severe bone resorption was observed upon surgical exposure. A second GBR was performed. Wound healing progressed uneventfully and an implant-supported fixed partial denture was later loaded.
Conclusion:
We presume that this complication was a foreign body reaction to the polylactic acid membrane. Such a reaction can affect soft and hard tissue healing following GBR. Long-term follow-up is needed to determine stability of the results.
