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Histological Outcomes of Alveolar Ridge Preservation Versus Spontaneous Healing Following Tooth Extraction: A
Ioanna Benekou1, Ioannis Fragkioudakis2, Georgios S Chatzopoulos2
1Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
Dentistry Journal
|December 24, 2025
Summary
Alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) does not consistently show histological superiority over spontaneous healing after tooth extraction. However, specific biomaterials like autologous platelet concentrates and xenografts with membranes enhance new bone formation.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Oral Surgery
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) is a common procedure after tooth extraction to maintain bone volume.
- Histological outcomes comparing ARP to spontaneous healing are not fully elucidated.
- Understanding new bone formation and residual graft material is crucial for optimizing ARP protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze histological outcomes of ARP versus spontaneous healing.
- To compare new bone formation and residual graft material percentages.
- To identify factors influencing histological success, such as biomaterial type and healing duration.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
- Included studies assessed histomorphometric outcomes in humans comparing ARP with various graft materials to unassisted socket healing.
- Outcomes included percentage of new bone formation and residual graft material; analyses considered graft type, membrane use, and healing time.
Main Results:
- Overall, ARP showed no significant difference in new bone formation compared to spontaneous healing (p=0.15).
- Autologous biomaterials (PRF/CGF) and xenografts with membranes demonstrated significantly higher new bone formation.
- Residual graft material was highest with xenografts and allografts, especially without membranes.
Conclusions:
- The histological advantage of alveolar ridge preservation is dependent on the biomaterial used.
- Autologous platelet concentrates and xenografts combined with membranes provide the most reliable bone regeneration.
- While ARP preserves ridge volume, its histological superiority is not universal, emphasizing careful biomaterial selection and healing period determination.
