Bone Augmentation with and without Biodegradable and Nonbiodegradable Microporous Membranes

The advantages and disadvantages of the bioresorbable and nonresorbable GBR membranes are shown in Tables 3 and 4. The risk-to-benefit ratio is well documented for the nonresorbable e-PTFE membrane, with its best advantages being predictability, space-making ability, and experience of 20 years in clinical use. The primary disadvantage of e-PTFE membrane is its potential for dehiscence in the overlying mucosa, plaque accumulation, and infection. e-PTFE membranes have high direct and indirect costs in some instances. The bioresorbable membranes are attractive because they are relatively free of complications; however, there are many questions concerning their efficacy, which must be answered through experience and research. Are the bioabsorbable barriers comparable to the nonresorbable membranes and to one another? Do these have a significant danger of causing foreign body giant cell responses or immune system sensitization? These are the questions most needed to be answered in future years. Despite claims and counterclaims by the makers of collagen-based and polymer-based bioabsorbable membranes, the turnover in materials and markets is high. Future research is needed to clarify these issues.