Overview
Resorption of the tooth surface, often observed in contexts such as guided bone regeneration (GBR) and post-extraction socket management, refers to the degradation of the tooth's outer layers, including enamel and dentin. This process can significantly impact the structural integrity and function of the tooth, particularly in scenarios where membranes are used to facilitate bone regeneration around dental implants or to manage bone defects. Clinicians managing dental implants, extraction sites, and bone defects must be vigilant about surface resorption as it can affect the success of regenerative procedures and long-term implant stability. Understanding and mitigating surface resorption is crucial for optimal patient outcomes in day-to-day practice 1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950515253545556.Diagnosis
The diagnosis of tooth surface resorption typically involves a comprehensive clinical and radiographic evaluation. Clinicians should perform the following steps:Differential Diagnosis:
Management
First-Line Management
Second-Line Management
Specialist Escalation
Contraindications:
Complications
Management Triggers:
Special Populations
Key Recommendations
References
1 Clark JR, Al Maruf DSA, Tomaskovic-Crook E, Cheng K, Lewin WT, Xin H et al.. Mechanobiologically-optimized non-resorbable artificial bone for patient-matched scaffold-guided bone regeneration. Nature communications 2025. link 2 Zhou Y, Hamamoto S, Yamasaki T, Takemura T, Nishimura T. Plastic movement in variably saturated porous media: The role of ionic strength and surface roughness. Journal of contaminant hydrology 2026. link 3 Tabanella G, Rider P, Rogge S, Čandrlić M, Kačarević ŽP. Open Wound Healing in Guided Bone Regeneration Using a Magnesium Membrane: A Paradigm Shift. Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials 2025. link 4 Karahaliloğlu Z, Hazer B. Thermoplastic Polyurethane-Oleic Acid (TPU-OLE) Membranes for Guided Bone Regeneration. Biopolymers 2025. link 5 Cao LM, Kuo ZY, Yu YF, Jia J, Liu B, Bu LL. Postoperative volume maintenance rate of microvascular free flap in oral and maxillofacial region: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of stomatology, oral and maxillofacial surgery 2024. link 6 Marques D, Teixeira LN, Elias CN, Lemos AB, Martinez EF. Surface topography of resorbable porcine collagen membranes, and their effect on early osteogenesis: An in vitro study. Journal of stomatology, oral and maxillofacial surgery 2023. link 7 Regidor E, Ortiz-Vigón A, Romandini M, Dionigi C, Derks J, Sanz M. The adjunctive effect of a resorbable membrane to a xenogeneic bone replacement graft in the reconstructive surgical therapy of peri-implantitis: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of clinical periodontology 2023. link 8 Li D, Wang T, Zhao J, Wu J, Zhang S, He C et al.. Prodrug inspired bi-layered electrospun membrane with properties of enhanced tissue integration for guided tissue regeneration. Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials 2022. link 9 Jiang Y, Deng Y, Tu Y, Ay B, Sun X, Li Y et al.. Chitosan-based asymmetric topological membranes with cell-like features for healthcare applications. Journal of materials chemistry. B 2019. link 10 Cucchi A, Sartori M, Parrilli A, Aldini NN, Vignudelli E, Corinaldesi G. Histological and histomorphometric analysis of bone tissue after guided bone regeneration with non-resorbable membranes vs resorbable membranes and titanium mesh. Clinical implant dentistry and related research 2019. link 11 Naung NY, Shehata E, Van Sickels JE. Resorbable Versus Nonresorbable Membranes: When and Why?. Dental clinics of North America 2019. link 12 Lian M, Sun B, Qiao Z, Zhao K, Zhou X, Zhang Q et al.. Bi-layered electrospun nanofibrous membrane with osteogenic and antibacterial properties for guided bone regeneration. Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces 2019. link 13 Fidalgo C, Rodrigues MA, Peixoto T, Lobato JV, Santos JD, Lopes MA. Development of asymmetric resorbable membranes for guided bone and surrounding tissue regeneration. Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A 2018. link 14 Huang D, Niu L, Li J, Du J, Wei Y, Hu Y et al.. Reinforced chitosan membranes by microspheres for guided bone regeneration. Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials 2018. link 15 Martin-Thomé H, Bourdin D, Strube N, Saffarzadeh A, Morlock JF, Campard G et al.. Clinical Safety of a New Synthetic Resorbable Dental Membrane: A Case Series Study. The Journal of oral implantology 2018. link 16 Wu C, Su H, Karydis A, Anderson KM, Ghadri N, Tang S et al.. Mechanically stable surface-hydrophobilized chitosan nanofibrous barrier membranes for guided bone regeneration. Biomedical materials (Bristol, England) 2017. link 17 Qasim SB, Najeeb S, Delaine-Smith RM, Rawlinson A, Ur Rehman I. Potential of electrospun chitosan fibers as a surface layer in functionally graded GTR membrane for periodontal regeneration. Dental materials : official publication of the Academy of Dental Materials 2017. link 18 Karfeld-Sulzer LS, Ghayor C, Siegenthaler B, Gjoksi B, Pohjonen TH, Weber FE. Comparative study of NMP-preloaded and dip-loaded membranes for guided bone regeneration of rabbit cranial defects. Journal of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine 2017. link 19 Malmström J, Anderud J, Abrahamsson P, Wälivaara DÅ, Isaksson SG, Adolfsson E. Guided bone regeneration using individualized ceramic sheets. International journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery 2016. link 20 Zeng N, van Leeuwen A, Yuan H, Bos RR, Grijpma DW, Kuijer R. Evaluation of novel resorbable membranes for bone augmentation in a rat model. Clinical oral implants research 2016. link 21 Shah UV, Olusanmi D, Narang AS, Hussain MA, Tobyn MJ, Hinder SJ et al.. Decoupling the contribution of surface energy and surface area on the cohesion of pharmaceutical powders. Pharmaceutical research 2015. link 22 Bannister RD, Roudsari RV, Satterthwaite JD. Film thickness of dentin desensitizing agents on full crown preparations: influence of product and gravity. Operative dentistry 2014. link 23 Norowski PA, Mishra S, Adatrow PC, Haggard WO, Bumgardner JD. Suture pullout strength and in vitro fibroblast and RAW 264.7 monocyte biocompatibility of genipin crosslinked nanofibrous chitosan mats for guided tissue regeneration. Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A 2012. link 24 Perelman-Karmon M, Kozlovsky A, Liloy R, Artzi Z. Socket site preservation using bovine bone mineral with and without a bioresorbable collagen membrane. The International journal of periodontics & restorative dentistry 2012. link 25 Covani U, Chiappe G, Bosco M, Orlando B, Quaranta A, Barone A. A 10-year evaluation of implants placed in fresh extraction sockets: a prospective cohort study. Journal of periodontology 2012. link 26 De Angelis N, Felice P, Pellegrino G, Camurati A, Gambino P, Esposito M. Guided bone regeneration with and without a bone substitute at single post-extractive implants: 1-year post-loading results from a pragmatic multicentre randomised controlled trial. European journal of oral implantology 2011. link 27 Owen GR, Jackson JK, Chehroudi B, Brunette DM, Burt HM. An in vitro study of plasticized poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) films as possible guided tissue regeneration membranes: material properties and drug release kinetics. Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A 2010. link 28 Lethaus B, Tudor C, Bumiller L, Birkholz T, Wiltfang J, Kessler P. Guided bone regeneration: dynamic procedures versus static shielding in an animal model. Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials 2010. link 29 Kim YK, Kim SG, Lim SC, Lee HJ, Yun PY. A clinical study on bone formation using a demineralized bone matrix and resorbable membrane. Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology, oral radiology, and endodontics 2010. link 30 de Santana RB, de Mattos CM, Francischone CE, Van Dyke T. Superficial topography and porosity of an absorbable barrier membrane impacts soft tissue response in guided bone regeneration. Journal of periodontology 2010. link 31 Park JB. Restoration of resorbed mandible using resorbable membrane and bone graft material with simultaneous implant placement: report of two cases. Quintessence international (Berlin, Germany : 1985) 2010. link 32 Yang F, Both SK, Yang X, Walboomers XF, Jansen JA. Development of an electrospun nano-apatite/PCL composite membrane for GTR/GBR application. Acta biomaterialia 2009. link 33 Lee EJ, Shin DS, Kim HE, Kim HW, Koh YH, Jang JH. Membrane of hybrid chitosan-silica xerogel for guided bone regeneration. Biomaterials 2009. link 34 Zheng Z, Wei Y, Wang G, Gong Y, Zhang X. Surface characterization and cytocompatibility of three chitosan/polycation composite membranes for guided bone regeneration. Journal of biomaterials applications 2009. link 35 Taga ML, Granjeiro JM, Cestari TM, Taga R. Healing of critical-size cranial defects in guinea pigs using a bovine bone-derived resorbable membrane. The International journal of oral & maxillofacial implants 2008. link 36 Lysiak-Drwal K, Dominiak M, Solski L, Zywicka B, Pielka S, Konopka T et al.. Early histological evaluation of bone defect healing with and without guided bone regeneration techniques: experimental animal studies. Postepy higieny i medycyny doswiadczalnej (Online) 2008. link 37 Müller HP. Modeling mucosal dimensions after implantation of a bio-absorbable membrane for surgical root coverage. Clinical oral investigations 2008. link 38 He H, Huang J, Ping F, Sun G, Chen G. Calcium alginate film used for guided bone regeneration in mandible defects in a rabbit model. Cranio : the journal of craniomandibular practice 2008. link 39 Sakallioglu U, Yavuz U, Lütfioglu M, Keskiner I, Açikgöz G. Clinical outcomes of guided tissue regeneration with Atrisorb membrane in the treatment of intrabony defects: a 3-year follow-up study. The International journal of periodontics & restorative dentistry 2007. link 40 Aimetti M, Pigella E, Romano F. Clinical and radiographic evaluation of the effects of guided tissue regeneration using resorbable membranes after extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. The International journal of periodontics & restorative dentistry 2007. link 41 Barber HD, Lignelli J, Smith BM, Bartee BK. Using a dense PTFE membrane without primary closure to achieve bone and tissue regeneration. Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery : official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 2007. link 42 De Bari C, Pitzalis C, Dell'Accio F. Reparative medicine: from tissue engineering to joint surface regeneration. Regenerative medicine 2006. link 43 Bremm LL, Sallum AW, Casati MZ, Nociti FH, Sallum EA. Guided tissue regeneration in Class II furcation defects using a resorbable polylactic acid barrier. American journal of dentistry 2004. link 44 D'Agostino A, Fior A, Toffanetti G, Pacino GA, Scala R, Trevisiol L. Maxillary post-traumatic outcome correction. Literature review and personal experience. Part II: loss of maxillary substance (free grafts of autologous bone). Minerva stomatologica 2004. link 45 Craig RG, Kallur SP, Inoue M, Rosenberg PA, LeGeros RZ. Effect of enamel matrix proteins on the periodontal connective tissue-material interface after wound healing. Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A 2004. link 46 Dogan A, Ozdemir A, Kubar A, Oygür T. Assessment of periodontal healing by seeding of fibroblast-like cells derived from regenerated periodontal ligament in artificial furcation defects in a dog: a pilot study. Tissue engineering 2002. link 47 Harris RJ. GTR for root coverage: a long-term follow-up. The International journal of periodontics & restorative dentistry 2002. link 48 Kostopoulos L, Lioubavina N, Karring T, Uraguchi R. Role of chitin beads in the formation of jaw bone by guided tissue regeneration. An experiment in the rat. Clinical oral implants research 2001. link 49 Milella E, Ramires PA, Brescia E, La Sala G, Di Paola L, Bruno V. Physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties of commercial membranes for GTR. Journal of biomedical materials research 2001. link 50 Schwartzmann M. Use of collagen membranes for guided bone regeneration: a review. Implant dentistry 2000. link 51 Aguirre-Zorzano LA, Estefanía-Cundín E, Gil-Lozano J, Martínez-Conde R, Núñez-Antón V, Santamaría-Zuazua J. Periodontal regeneration of intrabony defects using resorbable membranes: determinants of the healing response. An observational clinical study. The International journal of periodontics & restorative dentistry 1999. link 52 Wiltfang J, Merten HA, Peters JH. Comparative study of guided bone regeneration using absorbable and permanent barrier membranes: a histologic report. The International journal of oral & maxillofacial implants 1998. link 53 McGinnis M, Larsen P, Miloro M, Beck FM. Comparison of resorbable and nonresorbable guided bone regeneration materials: a preliminary study. The International journal of oral & maxillofacial implants 1998. link 54 Schmid J, Wallkamm B, Hämmerle CH, Gogolewski S, Lang NP. The significance of angiogenesis in guided bone regeneration. A case report of a rabbit experiment. Clinical oral implants research 1997. link 55 Unsal B, Kurtiş B, Ozcan G, Ozdemir A, Karaöz E. An investigation of resorption and tissue reaction after subcutaneous implantation of collagen based membrane materials in rats. Journal of Marmara University Dental Faculty 1997. link 56 Leder AJ, Simon BI, Deasy M, Fenesy KE, Dunn S. Histological, clinical, and digital subtraction radiographic evaluation of repair of periodontal defects resulting from mechanical perforation of the chamber floor using ePTFE membranes. Periodontal clinical investigations : official publication of the Northeastern Society of Periodontists 1997. link 57 Amar S, Chung KM, Nam SH, Karatzas S, Myokai F, Van Dyke TE. Markers of bone and cementum formation accumulate in tissues regenerated in periodontal defects treated with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membranes. Journal of periodontal research 1997. link 58 Mao C, Sato J, Matsuura M, Seto K. Guided tissue regeneration around dental implants in immediate extraction sockets: comparison of resorbable and nonresorbable membranes. Chinese medical sciences journal = Chung-kuo i hsueh k'o hsueh tsa chih 1997. link 59 Wang HL, O'Neal RB, MacNeil LM. Regenerative treatment of periodontal defects utilizing a bioresorbable collagen membrane. Practical periodontics and aesthetic dentistry : PPAD 1995. link 60 Schüpbach P, Gaberthüel T, Lutz F, Guggenheim B. Periodontal repair or regeneration: structures of different types of new attachment. Journal of periodontal research 1993. link 61 Gottlow J, Nyman S, Karring T. Maintenance of new attachment gained through guided tissue regeneration. Journal of clinical periodontology 1992. link 62 Sevor JJ, Meffert R. Placement of implants into fresh extraction sites using a resorbable collagen membrane: case reports. Practical periodontics and aesthetic dentistry : PPAD 1992. link