Improving Bone Formation by Guided Bone Regeneration Using a Collagen Membrane with rhBMP-2: A Novel Concept

We examined whether recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) when applied to collagen membranes, would reinforce them during guided bone regeneration. Four critical cranial bone defects were created and treated in 30 New Zealand white rabbits, including a control group, critical defect only; group 1, collagen membrane only; group 2, biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) only; group 3, collagen membrane + BCP; group 4, collagen membrane with rhBMP-2 (1.0 mg/mL); group 5, collagen membrane with rhBMP-2 (0.5 mg/mL); group 6, collagen membrane with rhBMP-2 (1.0 mg/mL) + BCP; and group 7, collagen membrane with rhBMP-2 (0.5 mg/mL) + BCP. After a 2-, 4-, or 8-week healing period, the animals were sacrificed. The combination of collagen membranes with rhBMP-2 and BCP yielded significantly higher bone formation rates compared to the other groups (control group and groups 1–5 < groups 6 and 7; p < 0.05). A 2-week healing period yielded significantly lower bone formation than that at 4 and 8 weeks (2 < 4 = 8 weeks; p < 0.05). This study proposes a novel GBR concept in which rhBMP-2 is applied to collagen membranes outside instead of inside the grafted area, thereby inducing quantitatively and qualitatively enhanced bone regeneration in critical bone defects.