Biomaterial used to counteract ridge reduction following the removal of adjacent teeth: A randomized controlled multicenter study

When 2 neighboring teeth are removed, the area tends to shrink in width and height as it heals. This bone loss can make it more difficult to place dental implants later. In this study, we tested a method to help maintain the bone after removing 2 adjacent teeth. In the Test group, the empty tooth sockets were filled with a bone graft material (deproteinized bovine bone mineral and collagen) and covered with a collagen membrane. In the Control group, the sites were left to heal physiologically. A total of 42 patients participated, each needing 2 side-by-side teeth removed. After 6 months of healing, we compared models of the patients from right after the extractions to those taken 6 months later. The results showed that the group with the bone graft and membrane had much less bone shrinkage than the group without them. The 2 extraction sites in the graft group maintained their bone height and width similarly. In summary, using a bone substitute material and membrane immediately after multiple tooth extractions helped preserve the jawbone, which could make future treatments like dental implants more successful.