Intra-alveolar Adhesive Biomaterial Preserves Ridge Height After Tooth Extraction in Dogs

This multicenter study evaluates the efficacy of a regenerative bone adhesive (RBA), a novel mineral-organic biomaterial, in maintaining alveolar ridge dimensions after extraction of large mandibular teeth in dogs. In a controlled, randomized clinical study, 47 patients with 59 tooth extraction sites across 10 practices were treated by veterinary dental specialists. Study extraction sites had the socket filled with RBA to the rim of the alveolar bone, whereas control sites healed with blood clot only. Computed tomography scans were performed at short-term (6-12 wk) and long-term (6-12 mo) follow-up time points. Analysis revealed statistically significant (P < .001) advantages in RBA-treated sites in both short- and long-term restoration and preservation of residual ridge dimensions. In RBA-treated sites, there was a statistically significant preservation of buccal ridge height, with an almost 2 mm advantage at long-term follow-up (to 12 mo). The biomaterial's adhesive properties, mechanical strength, and osteoconductive nature provide crucial support to the postextraction socket, encouraging bony repair instead of ridge height loss, contributing to this favorable outcome. The results demonstrate that RBA can significantly minimize residual ridge resorption compared to standard extraction alone.