Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new biodegradable membrane - atelocollagen as a guided tissue regeneration barrier on the dehiscence defects adjacent to the dental implants. 3 beagle dogs were selected for this study and all the mandibular premolars($P_1,P_2,P_3&P_4$) were extracted. Twelve weeks after the extraction, the edentulous ridges were formed to be placed the titanium plasma-sprayed IMZ implants. Four implant osteotomies were performed on each side of the mandible. The osteotomies were placed facially in the edentulous ridges to approximate an actual dehiscence defect as closely as possible, The standardized dehiscence defects were created 3 mm in width and 4 mm in height by osteotomy. A total 24 implants were placed. e-PTFE, ateloco11agen and $Collatape^{(R)}$ were placed to cover the defects and the one defect served as a control, not covered any membrane. By random selection, three dogs were sacrificed at 2 weeks, 4weeks and 8 weeks after fixation with 3% glutaraldehyde. A week before sacrificing, 8-week dog was infused intravenously with oxy-tetracycline 30mg/kg. The left mandibular blocks were used for full decalcified histologic preparation and the right mandibular blocks were selected for undeca1cified preparation, At 2 weeks, the regenerated bone of e-PTFE and atelocollagen groups appeared to be more dense than other groups and the percentage of bone defect fill was highest for e-PTFE and follwed by ateloco1lagen group. However, the $Collatape^{(R)}$ and control groups showed a little new bone formation. $Collatape^{(R)}$ was almost degraded within 2 weeks. At 4 weeks, the regenerated new bone were much greater and denser than at 2 weeks for e-PTFE and ateloco11agen group. Although a part of atelocollagen bagan to be degraded at the margin and surrounded by foreign body giant cells related to foreign body reaction, it was generally intact and the regenerated new bone was shown much more than at 2 weeks. The amount of new bone in $Collatape^{(R)}$ and control groups at 4 weeks were similar to that of 2 weeks group. At 8 weeks, the regenerated bone was matured and observed along the implant fixture. Direct new bone formation and calcium deposits beneath the e-PTFE were observed. No further bone growth was seen in the $Collatape^{(R)}$ and control groups. In reflected fluoromicrcocopic observation, the osteogenic activity was pronounced between e-PTFE membrane and the old bone. High osteogenic activity was also observed in atelocol1agen group. This study suggested that the ateloco11agen as well as e-PTFE could be used for guided tissue regeneration on dehiscence defects adjacent to the dental implants. But the $Collatape^{(R)}$ was completely resorbed within 2 weeks and was not a suitable membrane for guided bone regeneration.