A Novel Device for the Evaluation of In Vitro Bacterial Colonization in Membranes for Guided Tissue and Bone Regeneration

To evaluate, in vitro, the efficiency of a novel apparatus to test the adherence and penetration of bacteria on different membranes for guided regeneration. To create the 3D device, Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems were used. Three types of biomaterials were tested ( = 6): (DT) a collagen membrane; (DS) a polymer membrane; and (LP) a dense polytetrafluoroethylene barrier. The biomaterials were adapted to the apparatuses and challenged with two different monospecies bacterial culture of and . After 2 h, bacterial adherence and penetration were quantified by counting the number of colony-forming units (CFUs). Two specimens from each group were used for image analysis using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy. Statistical analysis was performed. The DS group had a higher adherence of compared to ( = 0.05). There was less adherence of in the DS group, compared to the LP ( = 0.011) and DT ( < 0.001) groups. Only the membranes allowed penetration, which was blocked by barriers. The DT group allowed a greater penetration of to occur compared to ( = 0.009), which showed a higher penetration into the DS membranes compared to ( = 0.016). The penetration of through DS was higher compared to its penetration through DT and LP ( < 0.01 for both). DT and DS allowed a greater penetration of to occur compared to LP, which prevented both bacterial species from penetrating. The apparatus allowed for the settlement and complete sealing of the biomaterials, enabling standardization.