High-density polytetrafluoroethylene membranes in guided bone and tissue regeneration procedures: a literature review

• Published in: International journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery Vol. 43; no. 1; pp. 75 - 84
• Main Authors: Carbonell, J.M, Martín, I. Sanz, Santos, A, Pujol, A, Sanz-Moliner, J.D, Nart, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Denmark Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2014
• Subjects: Animals; dense PTFE; Dentistry; Guided Tissue Regeneration, Periodontal; high-density PTFE; Humans; Membranes, Artificial; microporous PTFE; nano-porous PTFE; non-expanded PTFE; non-permeable PTFE; non-porous PTFE; Polytetrafluoroethylene - chemistry; Porosity; Surface Properties; Surgery; non-expanded PTFE; non-porous PTFE; nano-porous PTFE; high-density PTFE; microporous PTFE; dense PTFE; non-permeable PTFE
• ISSN: 0901-5027; 1399-0020
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijom.2013.05.017

Abstract Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) has been used successfully as a membrane barrier for regeneration procedures. However, when exposed to the oral cavity, its high porosity increases the risk of early infection, which can affect surgical outcomes. An alternative to e-PTFE is non-expanded and dense polytetrafluoroethylene (n-PFTE), which results in lower levels of early infection following surgical procedures. The aim of this literature review was to analyze and describe the available literature on n-PFTE, report the indications for use, advantages, disadvantages, surgical protocols, and complications. The medical databases Medline–PubMed and Cochrane Library were searched and supplemented with a hand search for reports published between 1980 and May 2012 on n-PTFE membranes. The search strategy was limited to animal, human, and in vitro studies in dental journals published in English. Twenty-four articles that analyzed the use of n-PTFE as a barrier membrane for guided tissue regeneration and guided bone regeneration around teeth and implants were identified: two in vitro studies, seven experimental studies, and 15 clinical studies. There is limited clinical and histological evidence for the use of n-PTFE membranes at present, with some indications in guided tissue regeneration and guided bone regeneration in immediate implants and fresh extraction sockets.