Propylene Non Resorbable Membrane in Fresh Alveolar Socket Repair

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a non resorbable membrane used in fresh extractions sites to improve alveolar bone repair.
Methods: 20(twenty) patients with indication for tooth extraction of maxillary and mandibular molars or pre-molars were randomly divided into two groups: Group 1(Control): after tooth extraction and alveolar curettage, borders were sutured with silk 4.0 thread; Group 2 (Test): after tooth extraction and curettage, a polypropylene non resorbable membrane was carefully cut and placed in between the gingiva and the residual alveolar crestal bone. The membrane covered the alveolar socket and was left intentionally exposed to the oral environment. Alveolar borders were also sutured, to hold membrane in place, but carefully not to damage it. All patients had sutures removed 07(seven) days after tooth extractions. Test group extractions sites remained with the membrane in place for 15(fifteen) days and then removed. Cone beam tomographic images and an image software (Image J) were used to evaluate alveolar bone healing behavior. Measurements of both bone height and width were made at time of extractions and 3(three) months after surgical procedure. Quantitative data distribution was evaluated using a Shapiro-Wilk normality test and an intergroup t-Student test (α=0.05).
Results: The vertical variation (heigth) in Group 2(0.6±0.4) was consistently superior then vertical variation in Group 1(-2.4±0.2), with significant bone reduction in height in the control group(p=0.012). There was no significant difference in width measurements between Group 2 (0.9±0.9) and Group 1 (-1.0±0.4) (p=0.285).
Conclusions: This study showed that propylene non resorbable membrane was efficient in maintaining bone heigth in fresh extraction sites.