Socket Preservation with Synthetic Bone Substitute or a Bovine Xenograft

Objectives: The aim of this single blind randomized controlled clinical trial was to compare the potential of a synthetic bone substitute (SBC) or a bovine-derived xenograft (BDX) combined with a collagen membrane to preserve the socket dimensions following extraction.

Methods: 24 patients were randomized into 2 treatment groups. In the test group, the subjects received socket preservation with SBC (Straumann Bone Ceramic; Straumann AG, Basel, Switzerland), while in the control group the same treatment with BDX (Bio-Oss; Geistlich Biomaterials, Switzerland) was performed. In both groups a collagen barrier (Bio-Gide, Geistlich, Switzerland) was used to cover the grafting material. After 8 months, during re-entry and prior to implant placement, the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the residual ridge were measured and trephine biopsies were performed for histologic analysis in all patients.

Results: The bucco-lingual dimension of the coronal part of the socket decreased by 1.17±0.94 mm in the SBC group and 2.08±1.08 in the BDX group (P<0.05). Both materials preserved the mesio-distal bone height of the residual ridge. No differences were observed between the two groups in width of buccal and palatal bone plate and probing depths and attachment levels of neighbouring teeth. The histological analysis showed bone regeneration in the apical part of the biopsies which was in direct contact to SBC and BDX particles. In some instances, the coronal part of the biopsies was occupied by a dense fibrous connective tissue surrounding the SBC and BDX particles.

Conclusion: Both biomaterials partially preserved ridge dimensions and promoted bone regeneration in post extraction sockets.

This study was financially supported by Institute Straumann AG, Basel, Switzerland