Comparative Efficacies of a 3D-Printed PCL/PLGA/β-TCP Membrane and a Titanium Membrane for Guided Bone Regeneration in Beagle Dogs

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a 3D-printed resorbable polycaprolactone/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/-tricalcium phosphate (PCL/PLGA/-TCP) membrane on bone regeneration and osseointegration in areas surrounding implants and to compare results with those of a non-resorbable titanium mesh membrane. After preparation of PCL/PLGA/-TCP membranes using extrusion-based 3D printing technology; mechanical tensile testing and in vitro cell proliferation testing were performed. Implant surgery and guided bone regeneration were performed randomly in three groups (a no membrane group, a titanium membrane group, and a PCL/PLGA/-TCP membrane group (n = 8 per group)). Histological and histometric analyses were conducted to evaluate effects on bone regeneration and osseointegration. Using the results of mechanical testing; a PCL/PLGA/-TCP ratio of 2:6:2 was selected. The new bone areas (%) in buccal defects around implants were highest in the PCL/PLGA/-TCP group and significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.05). Bone-to-implant contact ratios (%) were also significantly higher in the PCL/PLGA/-TCP and titanium groups than in the control group (p < 0.05). When the guided bone regeneration procedure was performed using the PCL/PLGA/-TCP membrane; new bone formation around the implant and osseointegration were not inferior to those of the non-resorbable pre-formed titanium mesh membrane.