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

The objective of this study was to evaluate the dimensional changes in alveolar bone and soft tissue after dental extraction/postextraction in alveoli filled/grafted with collagen (Collacone) compared with those left empty/ungrafted.

Twenty-three patients with a single maxillary incisor to be extracted were included in the study. The patients were randomized into either the treatment group, receiving a collagen sponge, or into the control group with an empty alveolus. All participants were examined and followed with cone beam computed tomography and 3-dimensional soft tissue scanning procedures during the healing process. The outcomes were statistically evaluated with Mann-Whitney U tests.

Seventeen patients were available for follow-up. The radiographic outcome showed an average loss of bone in the bucco-palatal width of 1.15 mm (range, 0.2-2.2) in the test group and 0.57 mm (range, 0-1.6) among the controls. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups (P = .092). The soft tissue topography height measurements revealed an average decrease of 1.737 mm (range, 0.118-2.872) in the test group and 1.899 mm (range, 0.454-3.014) in the control group. The difference was not significant (P = .847).

The use of a Collacone collagen sponge does not enhance the bone and soft tissue healing outcome after extraction of an incisor in the maxilla compared with leaving the alveolus empty.