The Preparation of PLA/PLGA Composite Membrane and Its Application as Periodontal Barrier Membrane

Abstract

We synthesized high molecular weight polymer PLA (polylactic acid) and low molecular weight polymer PLGA [poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)]. Then we prepared PLA/PLGA composite membrane by blending these two polymers, and tested various properties, such as physical, mechanical and biological properties for periodontal barrier. When PLA/PLGA = 2: 1 (w/w), degradation rate of the membrane was 63.7% within 32 weeks. The membrane showed aperture pores of 2 - 5 µm, the minimum tensile strength of 5.75MPa, and the porosity above 90%, which was beneficial to the entry of nutrients and the elimination of metabolic wastes. Under SEM (scanning electron microscope), we observed that gingival fibroblasts only grew on the positive surface, and didn’t grow on the negative side or the cross-section, indicating that the membrane played a good role of mechanical barrier.