Long-term follow-up of simultaneous guided bone regeneration using native and cross-linked collagen membranes over 6 years

ObjectivesTo investigate the impact of a cross-linked- (VN) collagen membrane on the long-term stability of peri-implant health over 6years. Material and methodsVestibular dehiscence-type defects at titanium implants (19 patients, 19 implants) were augmented using a natural bone mineral and randomly allocated to either VN or a native collagen membrane (CM) and left to heal in a submerged position for 4months. Clinical parameters (i.e. Bleeding on Probing-BOP, probing pocket depth-PD, mucosal recession-MR) were recorded at 4 and 6years after prosthesis installation. ResultsAt 4 and 6years, both VN and CM revealed comparable mean BOP, PD and MR values at both vestibular and oral aspects. Changes in these parameters from 4 to 6years were minimal (vestibular aspect-VN: -3.348.2%, -0.1 +/- 0.5mm, -0.1 +/- 0.3mm; CM: -1.8 +/- 33.7%, 0.0 +/- 0.4mm, -0.1 +/- 0.7mm) and not significantly different between groups. At 6years, the incidence of mucositis and peri-implantitis was comparable in both groups (VN: 60.0% and 20.0%; CM: 33.3% and 33.3%). ConclusionIn conclusion, the present follow-up observation failed to identify any beneficial impact of VN over CM on peri-implant health at 4 and 6 years.