Effect of Polylactic Acid Membrane on Guided Bone Regeneration in Anterior Maxillary Implantation

BACKGROUND This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of polylactic acid (PLA) membranes in guiding bone regeneration in anterior maxillary implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty-eight participants with maxillary anterior tooth loss requiring implantation with guided bone regeneration were recruited and randomly divided into 2 groups (n=24): the PLA membrane (experimental) and the Bio-Gide membrane (control) group. Wound healing was observed at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively. Cone beam CT was performed immediately and at 6 and 36 months postoperatively. Soft-tissue parameters were measured at 18 and 36 months postoperatively. Implant stability quotient (ISQ) and patient satisfaction were separately evaluated at 6 and 18 months after the operation. The independent sample t test and chi-square test were preformed to analyze quantitative and descriptive statistics, respectively. RESULTS No implants were lost and there were no statistically significant differences in ISQ between the 2 groups. The labial bone plates in the experimental group exhibited a non-significantly greater extent of absorption than did the control group at 6 and 18 months postoperatively. Soft-tissue parameters did not reveal inferior results for the experimental group. Patients in both groups were satisfied. CONCLUSIONS PLA membranes are comparable to Bio-Gide in terms of the effectiveness and safety and can be used as a barrier membrane to guide bone regeneration in clinical practice.