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

OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical outcomes of simultaneous guided bone regeneration using native (CM) and cross-linked (VN) collagen membranes at 8 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of n = 19 patients (19 implants) were available for the analysis. Each subject had received a simultaneous grafting of dehiscence-type defects using a natural bone mineral (NBM) and a random allocation to either CM and VN membranes (submerged healing of 4 months). Clinical parameters (e.g., bleeding on probing - BOP, probing pocket depth - PD, mucosal recession - MR, clinical attachment level - CAL) were recorded at 8 years after prosthesis installation. RESULTS: At 8 years, CM and VN groups revealed comparable median BOP, PD, MR and CAL values at both vestibular and oral aspects. From 4 to 8 years (n = 14 patients), median CAL at the vestibular aspect improved in both groups; however, these changes were significantly higher at CM-treated sites (CM: 0.7 mm vs. VN: 0.5 mm). CONCLUSION: The clinical long-term outcomes at 8 years were comparable in both VN and CM groups.