title: Clinical and histologic evaluation of allogeneic bone matrix versus autogenous bone chips associated with titanium-reinforced e-PTFE membrane for vertical ridge augmentation: a prospective pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare clinically and histologically an allogeneic bone matrix to autogenous bone chips in the vertical ridge augmentation technique using titanium-reinforced e-PTFE membranes.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study protocol was designed to include patients with bilateral posterior mandibular partial edentulism. Patients were treated with a split-mouth design approach: each side was randomly assigned to the test group (titanium-reinforced e-PTFE membrane and allogeneic bone matrix) or to the control group (titanium-reinforced e-PTFE membrane and autogenous bone chips). Different clinical parameters including the amount of vertically regenerated bone (DSB) and biologic complications were recorded. Histomorphometric analysis and the bone-implant contact percentage were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five female patients were enrolled in the study. Ten edentulous sites were vertically augmented and 25 implants were inserted (13 test group, 12 control group) with a staged approach. In the test group no membrane was exposed. The mean bone regeneration was 4.70 mm (SD 0.48 mm). All 13 implants appeared clinically stable. In the control group, 1 membrane was exposed after 2 months. The mean crestal bone regeneration was 4.10 mm (SD 0.88 mm). All 12 implants were stable at the abutment connection. Nine biopsy specimens from the regenerated areas were evaluated. Vertical bone regeneration was evident in both groups since all the samples demonstrated trabecular bone with different degrees of maturation and mineralization in the regenerated area.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limits of this study based on 5 patients, it appears that the behavior of the allogeneic bone matrix is similar to that of autogenous bone chips when used for vertical ridge augmentation by means of guided bone regeneration techniques. Both grafts demonstrated analogous histologic characteristics. Nevertheless, long-term clinical studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Implantology, Clinica Odontoiatrica, University of Milan, School of Dentistry, Milan, Italy. filofontana@libero.it
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fontana
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maiorana
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Iezzi
authors.forename: Adriano
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piattelli
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simion
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000473:pathology; D000540:Alveolar Ridge Augmentation / Q000379:methods*; D001706:Biopsy; D001857:Bone Matrix / Q000637:transplantation*; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology; D000044:Dental Abutments; D015921:Dental Implants; D005260:Female; D016557:Guided Tissue Regeneration, Periodontal / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000601:surgery; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008875:Middle Aged; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014025:Titanium; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D014025:Titanium