Permeability of Streptococcus mutans and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Through guided tissue regeneration membranes and their effects on attachment of periodontal ligament cells.

Background: Microbial colonization on barrier materials used in guided tissue regeneration (GTR) may adversely affect treatment outcomes. The purposes of this study were: 1) to compare the invasion of Streptococcus mutans and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans through 3 GTR membranes, composed of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE; non-resorbable), a glycolide fiber composite, and type I collagen (both bioabsorbable), and 2) to explore the effects of bacteria on the attachment of periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts onto these membranes.

Methods: Bacterial permeability was analyzed using a tube capped with a GTR membrane as a septum and filled with media. The tube was then placed in a bigger tube inoculated with S. mutans or A. actinomycetemcomitans. The passage of bacteria through the membranes into the inner tube was monitored. For cellular attachment experiments, primary human PDL cells were placed onto the GTR membranes with or without bacteria. Attached cells were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis.

Results: The ePTFE membrane had the best barrier effects followed by the collagen membrane and then the glycolide fiber composite membrane. Moreover, S. mutans passed through these membranes faster than A. actinomycetemcomitans. The attachment of PDL cells on the 3 membranes was also varied. The ePTFE membrane was the worst substrate for PDL fibroblast attachment. Moreover, both bacteria influenced the cellular attachment on the GTR membranes.

Conclusions: Differences in the behavior of 3 GTR membranes penetrated by S. mutans and A. actinomycetemcomitans were demonstrated. The results suggest that attachment of PDL cells was affected on bacterial-contaminated GTR membranes, which may alter healing following membrane exposure.