Reactive Soft Tissue Preservation in Large Bone Defects After Tooth Extractions: A Cone Beam Study

Area of Science:

• Oral surgery
• Regenerative dentistry
• Bone regeneration

Background:

• Alveolar bone reduction after tooth extraction poses challenges for dental implant placement due to diminished bone volume.
• Maintaining adequate bone volume is crucial for both the biological success and esthetic outcomes of dental implants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate bone healing in large post-extraction defects grafted with collagen sheets.
• To assess the role of maintained reactive soft tissue in bone regeneration.
• To analyze outcomes using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and histomorphometric analysis.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-six patients with large bone defects post-extraction were included.
• Defects were grafted with collagen sheets, preserving reactive soft tissue.
• Vertical bone volume was measured via CBCT before extraction and at 3 months.
• Bone samples were analyzed histologically and histomorphometrically at 3 months.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant mean bone gain of 12.13 ± 3.91 mm was observed at 3 months (P < .05).
• Histology confirmed bone formation, with a mean vital bone percentage of 41.59% ± 5.80%.
• Connective tissue comprised an average of 50.37% ± 7.73% of the defect volume.

Conclusions:

• Reactive soft tissue, combined with collagen grafting in large bone defects, effectively supports significant vertical bone gain.
• This regenerative approach promotes vital bone formation, offering a promising solution for bone volume restoration after tooth extraction.
• The findings suggest a viable strategy for enhancing bone volume for predictable dental implant outcomes.