Finding ways to shorten the time between tooth extraction and restoration is one of the priorities for clinicians and patients. Ridge preservation healing time is a major concern when considering the possibility of this time gap reduction. Branemark’s original protocol of endosteal root form dental implant placement recommends a minimum 12-month healing period before implantation. However, this time may be reduced in areas of implant placement to implant restoration and extraction to implant placement. In this regard, the main purpose of this study is to evaluate the difference in healing following tooth extraction and ridge preservation of non-molar teeth using DFDBA at a healing time point of 8 to 10 weeks compared to a healing time point of 18 to 20 weeks. The study aims to historically compare the amount of new vital bone formation, residual graft material, and connective tissue/another present. Additionally, the study aims to compare dimensional changes in ridge height and width following tooth extraction and ridge preservation with DFDBA. During the study, 44 patients had a tooth extraction and ridge preservation with DFDBA that was obtained from a single donor. The ridge height and width were then measured, and patients were randomly assigned to two groups: short-term healing (8-10 weeks) and long-term healing (10-20 weeks). After the healing period, sites were re-entered, a core biopsy was obtained, and a dental implant was placed. During implantation, ridge dimensions were measured; Histomorphometric analysis was performed to determine the percent new vital bone formation, residual graft, and connective tissue/other. The results of the study identified that the long-term healing group compared to the short-term healing group, has a significantly higher percentage of new vital bone formation, accounting for 47.41% compared to 32.63%. No significant difference was found in the percent residual graft, percent connective tissue/other, or ridge dimensional changes.
Reference
Whetman, J., & Mealey, B. L. (2016). Effect of healing time on new bone formation following tooth extraction and ridge preservation with demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft. A randomized controlled clinical trial. Journal of Periodontology, 87(9), 1022-1029. Web.