The use of absorbable polyglactin/polydioxanon implant (Ethisorb®) in non-surgical closure of oro-antral communication

Oro-antral communications (OAC) greater than 4–5mm in diameter can seldom be counted on to heal spontaneously without the necessity for surgical closure. The initial experience in applying an absorbable polyglactin/polydioxanon implant (Ethisorb®), in non-surgical closure of OAC ranging from 5 to 7 mm in diameter, is presented. Twelve patients of varying ages with OAC up to72 h in duration, have been treated with Ethisorb®. Failures were not demonstrated in the form of the creation of an oro-antral fistula (OAF), and in all patients, OAC-s were closed with the epithelization of post-extraction wounds up to 21 days after implantation of Ethisorb®. Based on these initial encouraging results, we propose that an Ethisorb® biopolymeric absorbable implant can be used in selected clinical cases for non-surgical closure of OAC.