Intra-oral bone harvesting: two methods compared using histological and histomorphometric assessments

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Biomaterials Science
• Orthodontic Bone Grafting

Background:

• Intra-oral bone harvesting is crucial for regenerative procedures.
• Comparing bone harvesting devices is essential for optimizing clinical outcomes.
• Particulate bone graft quality impacts graft integration and success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare morphometric and histological parameters of particulate bone harvested using Mectron Piezosurgery® versus Meta Micross®.
• To evaluate the viability and characteristics of bone particles obtained from two different intra-oral harvesting devices.
• To determine which device yields superior bone graft material for potential clinical applications.

Main Methods:

• A comparative morphometric and histological analysis was performed on bone samples from 20 patients undergoing germectomy.
• Particulate bone was harvested using Mectron Piezosurgery® and Meta Micross® from standardized retromolar sites.
• Key parameters analyzed included fragment size, vital/non-vital surface area, and osteocyte morphology.

Main Results:

• Mectron Piezosurgery® produced significantly larger particles and a greater surface area of non-vital bone (35.17%) compared to Meta Micross® (24.66%).
• Meta Micross® yielded a higher percentage of vital bone area (75.34%) and smaller fragments.
• Both devices produced similar amounts of empty lacunae, but Mectron Piezosurgery® yielded more osteocytes.

Conclusions:

• Meta Micross® resulted in smaller bone fragments and a reduced non-vital bone surface area compared to Mectron Piezosurgery®.
• The findings suggest Meta Micross® may provide a more favorable bone graft material in terms of cellular viability and particle size.
• Further clinical studies are warranted to confirm the long-term efficacy of bone grafts harvested with these devices.