A clinical study on bone formation using a demineralized bone matrix and resorbable membrane

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to evaluate new bone formation following guided bone regeneration (GBR) using a composite of demineralized cortical and nondemineralized cancellous bone admixed in a poloxamer reverse phase carrier (Orthoblast II) and resorbable collagen membrane (Ossix). Study design. Fourteen patients (14 specimens) participated in this study from January 2006 to May 2006. In all these 14 patients, bone grafting for the regeneration of dehiscence defects around the implants was required. At the 4-and/or 6-month healing period, a biopsy specimen was obtained by one oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The specimens were fixed, demineralized, embedded, and sectioned by a pathologist, and histomorphometric evaluations were performed using a computer-assisted Visus Image Analysis System. Results. A high proportion of new bone formation (12.3%-78.7%) was observed during the 4- and/or 6-month healing period. Although histopathologic findings indicated that the grafted materials did not completely resorb, new bone formation and bone remodeling were observed to increase with healing time. Conclusion. It was concluded from this study that the use of GBR consisting of Orthoblast II and Ossix membranes caused favorable bone formation during the 6-month healing period. Additionally, the increase in the woven bone to lamellar bone (LB/WB) ratio and the new bone to residual graft material (NB/GM) ratio observed in this 6-month study also provided evidence of increasing bony remodeling and maturity as well as the continuous resorption of the grafting materials. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2010; 109: e6-e11)