Comparative Alveolar Ridge Preservation Using Allogenous Tooth Graft versus Free-dried Bone Allograft: A Randomized,...

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Regenerative Medicine
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Human extracted teeth were processed into allografts for the first time in India.
• A randomized, prospective study evaluated allografts against freeze-dried bone allograft (FDBA) for alveolar ridge preservation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy of mineralized whole tooth allograft (WTA) and dentin allograft (DA) in alveolar ridge preservation.
• To compare these novel allografts with FDBA and ungrafted sites.

Main Methods:

• 15 patients received WTA, DA, FDBA, or no graft in extraction sockets.
• Alveolar crest dimensions were measured using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) immediately and 4 months post-surgery.
• Histological analysis of bone biopsies assessed new bone formation.

Main Results:

• All sites exhibited uneventful healing.
• WTA and DA demonstrated significantly less reduction in alveolar crest height and width compared to FDBA and control sites (P < 0.05).
• Histology confirmed greater new bone formation with WTA and DA.

Conclusions:

• Extracted human teeth can be processed into effective allografts.
• WTA and DA represent a promising alternative to conventional bone grafting materials.
• This approach repurposes biomedical waste into valuable regenerative material.