Repairing Dehiscence Defects at Implant Sites Using β-Tricalcium Phosphate/Calcium Sulfate Versus Xenograft Combined With Membrane: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) typically involves bone grafts and a membrane to enhance bone formation. Beta-tricalcium phosphate calcium sulfate (β-TCP/CS) is a novel material with self-hardening and tissue growth inhibition properties and can potentially replace the need for a membrane. This study compares β-tricalcium phosphate/calcium sulfate with deproteinized bovine bone mineral and a collagen membrane (DBBM/CM) to repair bone defects at implant sites over 6 months. Sixteen implant defects were divided into β-TCP/CS (n = 8) and DBBM/CM (n = 8). The results showed no significant differences in vertical and horizontal defect fill in millimeters between β-TCP/CS (2.87 ± 1.25 and 2.37 ± 1.06 mm, respectively) and DBBM/CM (3.5 ± 0.92 and 2.87 ± 1.12 mm, respectively). Buccal bone thickness (BT) alterations at the implant platform levels (BT0) were similar for both materials. However, β-TCP/CS exhibited greater bone alteration at the 2-mm level (BT2: -1.85 mm vs -0.47 mm) and 4-mm level (BT4: -1.79 mm vs 0.12 mm) apical to the implant platform compared to DBBM/CM. When assessing volume alteration, β-TCP/CS showed a significantly greater reduction at the platform to the 2 mm level (-61.98% vs -23.76%) than DBBM/CM. In conclusion, β-TCP/CS demonstrated promise for treating buccal bone defects around implants but exhibited higher graft reduction. This suggests that while β-tricalcium phosphate/calcium sulfate may offer clinical benefits, its potential for greater graft reduction should be considered. Further research and evaluation are warranted to fully understand the long-term implications of using β-TCP/CS in guided bone regeneration procedures.