Use of amniotic membranes in dentistry - literature review

The amniotic membrane, which lacks blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and nerves, is a thin membrane with anti-inflammatory and anti-scarring properties. In the field of dentistry, it is primarily employed as a dressing following the removal of malignant or pre-malignant lesions, with the objective of ensuring haemostasis and the absence of allergic reactions. Furthermore, it is employed in the treatment of oro-auricular junctions, cleft palates and in guided bone regeneration, due to the presence of mesenchymal cells. In vestibuloplasty, it has been demonstrated to enhance vestibular deepening, accelerate epithelialisation and reduce pain. In periodontics, it has been shown to be an effective treatment for gingival recession and furcation defects, and to increase the width of keratinised gingiva around implants. In endodontics, it is employed in regenerative procedures, offering comparable results to standard methods. Furthermore, in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint, it has been observed to provide pain relief and improved joint function.