A volumetric study of guided bone regeneration around titanium implants in the New Zealand white rabbit

Previous studies have shown the ability for bone to grow under occlusive membranes. This study was undertaken to determine the time required for bone to form in the space created under the membrane and to determine the amount of bone that may be grown under the membrane. Thirty-two New Zealand white rabbits were divided into three groups. A Brånemark implant, having a diameter of 3.75 mm with a length of 7 mm, was placed in each tibia and Gore-Tex membrane was draped over the implant on the experimental side and tethered to the wound margin. Sixteen rabbits were sacrificed at six weeks, eight at twelve weeks, and eight at eighteen weeks. At six weeks the available space under the membrane was filled to 68 per cent, at twelve weeks it was 45 per cent, and at eighteen weeks 54 per cent. A comparison of bone height measurements on test and control sides showed a significant difference (p = 0.0001) at the three time intervals. A comparison of grown bone volumes (test vs control) was also statistically significant (p = 0.0001). The ability to grow bone under an occlusive membrane was confirmed but the long-term survival rate and ability to support load needs to be investigated.