In vivo comparison of customized zirconia barriers in guided bone regeneration: An experimental study

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effects of customized zirconia barrier membranes produced for guided bone regeneration (GBR) approaches on bone healing researched with histological and histomorphometric methods. Methods: The digital modeling was used to create zirconia barrier membranes suitable for the defect on the tibia bone. The membranes were designed using a 3D software system and transferred to the CAD/CAM software system in stl. Afterward, zirconia discs (1400 Mpa) (Aconia BSM- D98 x 16, HT+, Germany) were milled and sintered. Titanium mesh, titanium reinforced dPTFE, and zirconia barrier membranes were used to cover the defects. As a control group, one defect was left empty. 3 and 6 weeks of the healing term, preparates were obtained from each group after animals were sacrificed. New bone formation, amount of the remaining grafts and tissue response parameters were analyzed histomorphometrically and histologically. Results: The highest percentage of newly formed bone in the early period was observed in the titanium mesh membrane group (26.39 +/- 5.38); In the late period, this rate was highest in the zirconia group (64.42 +/- 9.95). However, no statistically significant difference was found in both periods between the groups. The amount of residual graft progressed at a low level in both periods without any difference in the other groups except the control group. In the 3rd and 6th weeks, the amount of new bone formation was the lowest in the control group. No foreign body reaction or necrosis was observed in any of the defects. Conclusion: With the limitation of the study, it has been concluded that effective results can be obtained with customized zirconia barrier membranes in GBR procedures.