Use of Deproteinized Bovine Bone in Association with Calcium Sulphate for Alveolar Socket Preservation

<b>Background:</b> The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the histomorphometry of post-extractive sites previously grafted with deproteinized bovine bone, with or without the association of a calcium sulphate preparation. <b>Methods:</b> The retrospective evaluation comprehended patients previously selected and treated for the extraction of one or more mono-radicular teeth, followed by an implant-prosthetic rehabilitation. Post-extractive sites had been randomly assigned to test or control group, respectively, if deproteinized bovine bone was used in association with a calcium sulphate preparation or alone. In both cases, a collagen membrane was employed to cover the grafted area. After four months, a biopsy of regenerated bone was taken from all grafted sites and then processed for histomorphometric analysis. <b>Results:</b> Of 24 samples analyzed 4 months after extraction, vital bone was present in 62.5% of cases for the test group and in 31.25% for the control group. Acellular bone was respectively found in 5% of cases for the test group and in 32.91% for the control group. Both these differences were statistically significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05) between groups. <b>Conclusions:</b> Calcium sulphate in association with deproteinized bovine bone seems to promote proper vital bone formation, with less acellular bone compared to deproteinized bovine bone used alone. Socket preservation procedures with the use of specific osteoconductive materials improve the maintenance of width and height of remaining bone. Findings of the present study offer clinicians a predictable protocol for preserving vital bone in early healing of post-extraction sites, slowing down the resorption process at the same time.