title: Novel 3D polycaprolactone scaffold for ridge preservation--a pilot randomised controlled clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This pilot randomised controlled clinical trial aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of using a polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold in fresh extraction sockets for ridge preservation. The hypothesis was that the insertion of a 3D bioresorbable PCL scaffold in fresh extraction sockets allowed for normal bone healing and better maintenance of ridge dimensions after 6 months as compared to extraction sockets without the scaffold.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen patients were randomised to either the test group (N = 6) where a PCL scaffold was inserted in the tooth socket after extraction or the control group (N = 7) where no space filler was used. Alveolar ridge height and width measurements were made at baseline and 6 months post-extraction, for the evaluation of bone resorption. At 6 months, a core of bone was trephined out from the healed ridge for microcomputed tomographic (micro CT) and histological analyses, immediately before Stage I dental implant surgery. Stage II dental implant surgery was performed 4-6 months later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was less vertical ridge resorption in the test group compared to the control group, and the difference was statistically significant in the mesio-buccal aspect (P = 0.008). Micro CT and histological observations showed mainly mineralised bone formation in both groups, except for one specimen in the test group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The insertion of a 3D bioresorbable PCL scaffold in fresh extraction sockets allowed for normal bone healing, and there was better maintenance of ridge height after 6 months as compared to extraction sockets without the scaffold.
authors.affiliation: National Dental Centre of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Bee Tin
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Goh
authors.forename: Luan Yook
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Teh
authors.forename: Danny Ben Poon
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Zhiyong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Swee Hin
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Teoh
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000473:pathology; D000540:Alveolar Ridge Augmentation / Q000379:methods*; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods*; D019250:Dental Implants, Single-Tooth; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011091:Polyesters / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020390:Tooth Socket / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone
keywords: polycaprolactone; ridge preservation; scaffold