Polyurethane and PTFE membranes for guided bone regeneration: Histopathological and ultrastructural evaluation

ABSTRACT

AbstractObjective: The purpose of this study was to research a membrane material for use in guided bone regeneration.Study design: In this study, 25 male Wistar rats were used to analyze the biocompatibility and degradation processof biomembranes. The morphological changes in subcutaneous implantations were assessed after 7, 14, 21, 28 and70 days. The materials were made of polyurethane polymer (AUG) obtained from vegetal oil (Ricinus communis)and polytetrafluoroethylene membrane (PTFE). The surface characteristics of the physical barriers in scanningelectronic microscopic (SEM) were also evaluated. Results: In both groups, the initial histological analysis showedmoderate inflammatory infiltrate, which was predominantly polymorphonuclear. There was also a presence ofedema, which was gradually replaced by granulation tissue, culminating in a fibrous capsule. In the AUG group,some multinucleated giant cells were present in the contact interface, with the space previously occupied by thematerial. However, membrane degradation was not observed during the period studied. According to the presentSEM findings, porosity was not detected in the AUG or PTFE membranes. Conclusion: The researched material isbiocompatible and the degradation process is extremely slow or may not even occur at all (AU)