In vivo degradation of collagen barrier membranes exposed to the oral cavity.

Objectives: The purpose of this human clinical trial was to compare the degradation profiles of three different collagen membranes under conditions mimicking exposure to the oral cavity.

Materials And Methods: Three collagen membranes, ribose cross-linked (RCL), glutaraldehyde cross-linked (GCL), and non-cross-linked (NCL) were tested. The membranes were placed over the buccal mucosa of 20 human volunteers, apical to the gingival margins in the maxillary premolar and molar region.