This study was done to evaluate whether the tetracycline impregnated barrier membranes could inhibit bacterial attachment and penetration into membranes. The resorbable membrane(polylactic and polyglycolide copolymer, Resolute®, W.L Gore and Associates, Inc., USA) and the non-resorbable membranes(e-PTFE, Gore-Tex™, W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc., USA) were cut into 4mm discs and trated with 5% tridodecylmethylammonium chloride solution in ethanol and dried in air. The membranes were immersed in tetracycline(TC) solution(100mg/ml, pH 8.0) and dried. To the maxillary canine-premolar region in six periodontally healthy volunteers, removable acrylic devices were inserted, on which 8 cylindrical chambers were glued with TC impregnated and non-impregnated discs, the membrane discs were examined for bacterial attachment and penetration, and structural changes under SEM and LM.

From the 1st day to the 7th day, membranes showed bacterial plaque formation composed of cocci and rods. Thereafter, filamentous bacteria appeared and the plaque thickness increased. The TC impregnated e-PTFE membranes showed less bacterial attachment and delayed in bacterial plaque maturation than non-treated membranes.

As for bacterial penetration, the TC impregnated e-PTFE membranes showed superficial invasion and infrequent presence of bacteria in unexposed inner surface at the 4th week, while the non-treated e-PTFE membranes showed deep bacterial invasion at the 2nd week and frequent presence of internal bacteria at the 4th week. The resorbable membranes started to be resorbed at the 2nd week and were perforated at the 4th week, regardless of TC treatment.

In conclusion, bacterial plaque formation and penetration was efficiently delayed in TC impregnated e-PTFE membranes, whereas resorbable membranes were similar in bacterial invasion due to membrane degradation and perforation, regardless of TC treatment.