The 1980's brought us the principal of excluding unwanted cells from a graft site called guided tissue regeneration (GTR). Guided tissue regeneration with the use of permeable membranes has come to dominate regenerative therapy in dentistry. GTR has proven successful but only to a limited degree and only in certain clinical situations. Permeable barriers exclude unwanted cells but do not exclude the molecules secreted by those cells. The signaling molecules produced by unwanted cells migrate across the permeable membrane to induce the differentiation and proliferation of unwanted cells in the graft site. Guided Molecular Bone Regeneration (GMBR) was developed by Steiner Laboratories to isolate the grafted site not only from unwanted cells but also from their unwanted signaling molecules.

Osseoconduct™ Cortical Plates™ isolate osteogenic cells in the graft site from the surrounding soft connective tissue, thereby, isolating the graft site from non-osteogenic soft connective tissue cells and their signaling molecules.  Isolating the graft site also directs undifferentiated cells down the osteogenic pathway. Osseoconduct™ Cortical Plates™ function in the same manner as the cortical bone found in normal bone.

Cortical Plates™ are made of beta tricalcium phosphate that is biocompatible and resorbable. When used in place of a membrane, Cortical Plates™ maintains shape and volume of the graft site.

Cortical Plates™ are available in standard forms and sizes that can be fitted as needed in the operatory. Also available are custom Cortical Plates™ made from CT generated models. Custom Cortical Plates™ are produced in our laboratory in order to minimize surgical chair time and patient morbidity.

The primary use for Osseoconduct™ Cortical Plates™ is for appositional bone growth needed for ridge augmentation or when the buccal cortical plate is missing after tooth extraction.  The normal process of healing is for the plates to become exposed during the first month. Exposure of the plates does not effect the success of the augmentation surgery because the graft site is still insolated under the Cortical Plate™. For this reason the plates are commonly removed after one month. Implant placement is advised in 3 months depending on the graft material used under the Cortical Plates™. When Cortical Plates™ are used to regenerate bone in a socket that is missing buccal bone any graft material can be used however we advise the use of Socket Graft™. When Cortical Plates™ are used for ridge augmentation again any graft material can be used but we advise Osseoconduct™ granules mixed with Regen Biocement™.

Angled Osseoconduct™ Cortical Plates™ are available in three sizes:
Large        50X20X10 mm
Medium     30X20X10mm
Small        20X15X10mm

Flat Osseoconduct™ Cortical Plates™ are available in three sizes:
Large        50X20mm
Medium     30X20mm
Small        20X15mm

Custom Osseoconduct™ Cortical Plates™ prepared from a CT scan are available for a service fee of $75 per plate. A CT scan of the patient is sent to a modeling center that then sends the model to us for preparation of the Cortical Plates™.