The introduction of membranes into the field of dentistry has allowed us to regrow alveolar bone and to increase the thickness of the maxillary and mandibular ridges where in the past, we had to accept the alveolar bone loss. Now we have other options. Rather than subject our patients to bridges, we can now increase or retain the thickness of the alveolar bone to accept our implants.
Principle:
Alveolar bone will grow when there is space for the bone to grow into, blood for the nutrients to grow bone, and the space is protected from pressure. Pressure causes alveolar bone to dissolve. The lack of pressure also causes the alveolar bone to dissolve as in the maxillary sinus where the alveolar bone thins from lack of pressure. Therefore, we need pressure to stimulate bone growth, but excessive pressure causes bone to dissolve as in clenching. The goal of membranes is to protect the space for alveolar bone to grow.
History
Before the use of membranes became popular in 1984, we used to allow the....