Bone repair of experimentally induced through-and-through defects by Gore-Tex, Guidor, and Vicryl in ferrets: A pilot study

Abstract

Objective. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate whether improved bone regeneration can be achieved in experimentally induced through-and-through mandibular defects in ferrets and whether there is a quantitative and qualitative difference of regenerated bone with different guided tissue regeneration membranes. Study design. Through-and-through osseous defects were created at the apices of 16 mandibular premolars of 8 ferrets. The transosseous defects were covered with Gore-Tex, Vicryl, or Guidor membranes. As control, the defects were covered with mucoperiosteal flaps without any membranes. Results. The control group showed ingrowth of sulcular epithelium into the defect. The Gore-Tex group showed good bone formation, whereas the Vicryl group showed the highest degree of bone formation. Six weeks after the operation, the defect had nearly completely filled with fibered and lamellar bone. Twelve weeks after the operation, mainly lamellar bone was observed. In contrast, the Guidor group was found to have limited bone regeneration. Conclusion. The results of this in vivo study suggest that guided tissue regeneration membranes generally promote and improve bone regeneration in osseous defects of endodontic origin.