Ridge preservation using Collacone compared with an empty socket: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Oral Surgery
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Alveolar bone and soft tissue dimensional changes after tooth extraction can impact aesthetic and functional outcomes.
• Grafting materials are often used to preserve alveolar ridge dimensions post-extraction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare dimensional changes in alveolar bone and soft tissue after maxillary incisor extraction when using a collagen sponge (Collacone) versus leaving the alveolus empty.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 23 patients undergoing maxillary incisor extraction.
• Patients were assigned to either a collagen sponge treatment group or an empty socket control group.
• Cone beam computed tomography and 3D soft tissue scanning were used to assess outcomes.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant difference was observed in bucco-palatal bone width reduction between the collagen sponge group (1.15 mm) and the control group (0.57 mm).
• Soft tissue height reduction was also not significantly different between the groups, with averages of 1.737 mm (test) and 1.899 mm (control).

Conclusions:

• Collagen sponge (Collacone) grafting does not significantly enhance bone or soft tissue healing outcomes following maxillary incisor extraction compared to an empty alveolus.
• The findings suggest that collagen sponges may not provide a significant benefit for alveolar ridge preservation in this specific clinical scenario.