Alveolar ridge augmentation with bioactive glass ceramics: a histological study

A particulate BGC (bioactive glass ceramics), has been developed as a new bone graft biomaterial for alveolar ridge augmentation and has been evaluated by simulated animal models. Five beagle dogs were used in this investigation. Prior to augmentation the mandibular posterior teeth of the animals were extracted. Three months after the extractions, the porous BGC particles were packed into the subperiosteal tunnels in the ridges with a special syringe. The animals were killed at different time intervals and the specimens were examined by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray energy dispersive analysis (EDAX), respectively. The results of this study indicate that the BGC particles are firmly combined with the adjacent hard and soft tissues by the bone bonding interface between the implants and the alveolar bone, and by the ingrowth of bone or fibrous connective tissue into the interspaces and the pores of the particles. The results have demonstrated that particulate BGC with pores is an excellent implant material for alveolar ridge augmentation because of its very good biocompatibility.