Fabrication of electrospun (ES) hydrophilic PLA95/biocerimic membranes for GTR/GBR applications

The concept of guided tissue/bone regeneration (GTR/GBR) is using a barrier to maintain a space in order to prevent the migration of faster-growing soft tissue into the defect for ligament (PDL), cementum and bone reconstruction in dentistry. The aim of this study is to fabricate fibrous PLA95 (poly-5D/95L-lactide) /bioceramic membranes via electrospinning (ES) technique. Bio-ceramic such as calcium sulfate /phosphate (α-CaSO4/β- TCP) were chosen as fillers for co- electrospinning because of their osteoconductivity. The surface properties of hybrid ES membranes were modified to improve the hydrophobic properties by a dip-coating method. The physical and mechanical properties of ES membranes were explored. The morphology, structure, wettability, and suture strength of ES membranes were evaluated by SEM, XRD, contact angle and tensile tester, respectively. The resulted PLA95/bio-ceramic membranes show nice hydrophilic and good mechanical properties. The results of cytotoxicity test confirm those ES membranes would not induce any cell toxicity. Base on these results, we have successfully prepared composites of osteoconductive, hydrophilic and porous 3-D GTR/GBR membranes. The membrane system can be used as a prototype for the further development in many other clinical uses.