Preserving the Bone Profile in Anterior Maxilla using an Equine Cortical Bone Membrane and an Equine Enzyme-treated Bone Graft: A Case Report with 5-year Follow-up

This study aimed to report a well-succeeded use of equine enzyme-deantigenic cortical membrane and bone granules for guided bone regeneration (GBR) in the esthetic zone concomitant with implant placement. In the anterior maxilla, where patients typically have the highest expectations for implant-supported restorations, bone resorption in the wake of tooth loss often leads to a lack of soft tissue support and ultimately to unsatisfactory esthetic results. Buccal bone augmentation at the time of implant placement has thus become common. This is usually accomplished following GBR principles and employing membranes made from various materials to serve as a barrier between the soft tissue and graft material. One of the more recently introduced membrane materials is made from thin, flexible equine cortical bone, i.e., rendered nonantigenic in an enzymatic process that preserves native bone collagen. This report describes the treatment of a patient who received an equine enzyme-deantigenic graft and membrane in conjunction with placement of an implant in the right maxillary lateral incisor site. After 5 years of follow-up, the patient was very satisfied with her appearance. A cone-beam computed tomography scan showed that the peri-implant bone levels and ridge thickness had been maintained, and the cortical layer in the pristine ridge had also undergone remodeling. Guided bone regeneration with the concomitant use of enzyme-deantigenic membrane and graft is a valuable and suitable option for effective implant-supported prosthetic rehabilitation in the esthetic zone.