Possible Applications for a Biodegradable Magnesium Membrane in Alveolar Ridge Augmentation–Retrospective Case Report with Two Years of Follow-Up

Abstract

Background and Objectives: A rigid, resorbable magnesium membrane was recently developed, combining the advantages of resorbable and non-resorbable membranes. Our aim was to describe the application of this membrane for guided bone regeneration (GBR). Materials and Methods: This case report described the treatment and 3D evaluation of two cases utilizing a resorbable magnesium barrier membrane. In Case #1, GBR was performed with a bilayer tunnel flap. The magnesium barrier was placed fixed subperiosteally through remote vertical incisions. In Case #2, GBR was performed using a split-thickness flap design. Volumetric and linear hard tissue alterations were assessed by 3D cone-beam computed tomography subtraction analysis, as well as with conventional intraoral radiography. Results: Case #1 showed a volumetric hard tissue gain of 0.12 cm3, whereas Case #2 presented a 0.36 cm3 hard tissue gain. No marginal peri-implant hard tissue loss could be detected at the two-year follow-up. Conclusions: The application of conventional resorbable collagen membranes would be difficult in either of the cases presented. However, the rigid structure of the magnesium membrane allowed for the limitations of conventional resorbable membranes to be overcome.

Horizontal and Vertical Defect Management with a Novel Degradable Pure Magnesium Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR) Membrane—A Clinical Case

“…Wound dehiscence was previously reported in an in vivo study using the membrane [16]. However, in this instance, and in concurrence with the published cases [24][25][26][27], there were no clinical observations associated with the release of hydrogen gas.…”

“…In the reported study, the membrane maintained a barrier function in a GBR model as efficiently as a collagen membrane control group [16]. The potential for the membrane has also been demonstrated clinically [24,26,27].…”

“…Palkovics et al [27] also previously reported the successful combined use of the magnesium membrane with a heterologous collagen soft tissue graft, although in their reported case, the membranes were applied using the tunnel technique. Using this technique, the magnesium membrane was positioned under the periosteum with the collagen soft tissue graft over the top to improve the soft tissue contour.…”

“…Periapical X-ray (Figure 1a) showed periapical bone loss to the first premolar (24), which appears to have been treated endodontically in an incongruous way. The second molar (27) showed a mesial bone defect. The X-ray also showed the presence of an impacted canine (23) with increased peri-coronal space, indicating a possible bacterial contamination.…”

“…As it degrades, it releases magnesium ions, which are naturally prevalent within the body and are present in almost every cell [21]. Its initial mechanical strength provides a rigid three-dimensional volumetric maintenance to stabilize the underlying bone graft during the critical healing period, yet reabsorbs in the subsequent months following implantation in a complete and predictable way [14,16,[22][23][24][25][26][27]. The membrane has undergone substantial preclinical research [14,16], and since its CE approval, its clinical performance has been reported in several case studies [24][25][26][27].…”