Bacterial Penetration Through Antibiotic-Loaded Guided Tissue Regeneration Membranes

Background: This study compared bacterial penetration through guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membranes impregnated with antibiotics. Methods: Three barrier membranes, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane, Collagen membrane, and glycolide fiber composite membrane, were loaded with amoxicillin or tetracycline. The penetration of Streptococcus mutans and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (previously Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans) through the GTR membranes was achieved using a device consisting of an inner tube and an outer bottle filled with culture media. Results: The penetration of S. mutans or A. actinomycetemcomitans into the inner tubes significantly decreased with all of the antibiotic-loaded membranes compared to membranes without antibiotics. However, differences were found in the behavior of the three membranes. The antibiotic-loaded ePTFE membranes showed the best barrier effect. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of tetracycline on S. mutans was greater than that of amoxicillin for all GTR membranes. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of tetracycline on A. actinomycetemcomitans was lower than that of amoxicillin with the glycolide fiber membrane. Conclusions: The results showed that penetration of S. mutans and A. actinomycetemcomitans through amoxicillin-or tetracycline-loaded ePTFE membrane, glycolide fiber membrane, and Collagen membrane was delayed and/or reduced. Thus, incorporation of an antibiotic into the membrane may be of value when controlling membrane-associated infection during GTR therapy. J Periodontol 2009;80:1471-1478.