Cyanoacrylate Adhesive as an Alternative Tool for Membrane Fixation in Guided Tissue Regeneration

To report a well succeeded use of cyanoacrylate adhesive for fixating a resorbable membrane during a guided tissue regeneration procedure (GTR). The immobilization of membranes in GTR is essential for establishing proper environment for cell differentiation and tissue regeneration. However, some membranes are very difficult to be kept in position by sutures and its fixation by mini screws or pins may be time consuming and expensive. A 47-year-old woman presenting a vertical bone defect at the palatal aspect of the left central incisor was treated by GTR using particulate autogenous bone graft associated to a collagen membrane. The membrane was glued to the bone surrounding the defect and to the tooth surface with cyanoacrylate adhesive. The postoperative period was uneventful and 4 years later, excellent results in terms of radiographic filling of the defect and reduction of the probing depth were seen. For illustrative purposes, histological findings obtained during a previous experiment in calvaria of guinea pigs is shown, characterizing a foreign body granuloma and proving that the cyanoacrylate adhesive is a safe tool in GTR. The use of a membrane glued with cyanoacrylate to immobilize membranes in GTR is viable and safe from both technical and biological standpoints and may be advantageous for clinical and research purposes. The alternative method for membrane fixation shown in this case report can contribute to simplify the technique in GTR procedures.