Ridge bone maintenance in human after extraction.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate, clinically and histologically, the tissues formed in human alveolar sockets filled with bovine morphogenetic protein/bovine organic matrix (BOM) and absorbable membrane (AM) immediately after extraction.

MATERIALS: Forty-six human alveolar sockets, exhibiting buccal bone defects were selected for this study. Group 1 received no biomaterial to serve as control. Sockets from group 2 were filled with bovine bone morphogenetic protein (bBMP) associated with bOM. The association of bBMP/bOM/AM filled the alveolar defects from group 3. AM was placed over the defects from group 4. Clinical evaluation analyzed ridge width before biomaterial filling and 4 months after filling. Fifteen specimens were collected from groups 2, 3, and 4 for histologic analyses.

RESULTS: Clinical results showed no significant augmentation on the control group (-0.16 +/- 0.28 mm). All test sites, groups 2, 3, and 4, showed relevant ridge width augmentation (3.0 +/- 0.5 mm, 2.4 +/- 0.3 mm, and 2.9 +/- 0.6 mm, respectively) and no resorption. Histologically, all experimental alveolar sockets showed active bone formation with osteoid, osteoblasts, and cell differentiation.

CONCLUSION: On the basis of this study, we concluded that bBMP/bOM with or without AM could preserve the ridge showing viable bone formation for future implant placement.