The Screen Technique for Safe Bone Regeneration of Noncontained Defects: A Novel Technique

Healing complications in guided bone regeneration (GBR) can be frequent when nonresorbable membranes are used. Exposure of dense polytetrafluoroethylene (d-PTFE) membranes to the oral cavity are usually located close to the incision line due to a lack of tension-free flap closure. This case report presents a safe, novel technique that uses d-PTFE membranes placed on the missing buccal and palatal bone walls without covering the coronal aspect of the regeneration. Therefore, these membranes can be kept away from the incision line to minimize the risk of exposure. The coronal part is then covered with a resorbable membrane. A clinical case is presented, using this novel technique to three-dimensionally reconstruct noncontained defects in the maxilla. This technique is safe and effective in regenerating these defects; after 8 months of healing, three implants could be placed with proper primary stability. Further, histologic and histomorphometric analyses revealed functional bone with areas of new bone formation. However, more long-term studies are required to validate this technique.