Various kinds of biodegradable membranes are currently used in dental clinics. And the frequency and the necessity of their usage are increasing due to their numerous advantages. Therefore it is important to understand the difference of various membranes and histological reaction against implanted membranes.

Biodegradable membranes of Biogide®, Resolute®, and Tutodent® were cut into small pieces by 1.0×0.5cm. The membranes were implanted 1.5cm apart from each other under the epithelium on the skull of 18 Sprague Dawley rats. The animals were sacrificed at 3, 7, and 14 days after surgical procedure. The specimens were examined by histological analysis.

1. Early period after implantation of the membranes showed connective tissues surrounding membranes and there were a few inflammatory cells present.

2. In Biogide® and Tutodent® specimens, inflammatory cells and surrounding tissues were shown to infiltrate from outside with slight density difference inside. In Resolute® specimens, membranes were fragmented. Inflammatory cells and connective tissues were also observed inside.

3. In Resolute® specimen, giant cells were present which implicates that foreign body reaction has occurred.

4. Biogide® had lower integrity than other membranes and is not enough to be used alone in defect area. However, Resolute® had superior firmness than others. Tutodent® had middle level of integrity.

This experimental model enabled to observe early inflammatory reactions and morphological changes of materials and can be used to develop and evaluate the efficacy of biodegradable membranes. Duplication of standardized human oral environment will be required in future experiments.