Radiographic Assessment of Alveolar Ridge Preservation Using Controlled-Release of Erythropoietin: A Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Background:

• Alveolar ridge resorption is a common complication after tooth extraction, leading to bone loss.
• Preserving ridge height is crucial for subsequent dental implant placement and aesthetics.
• Current methods for ridge preservation have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of erythropoietin (EPO)-loaded chitosan/carbon methyl cellulose/gelatin hydrogels in preventing alveolar ridge resorption.
• To compare the effects of EPO-loaded hydrogels with hydrogels alone and natural healing.

Main Methods:

• Patients were divided into three groups: EPO-loaded hydrogel, hydrogel alone, and natural healing.
• Socket preservation was performed using respective materials.
• Buccal bone height was measured at baseline and follow-up using standardized imaging techniques.

Main Results:

• The EPO-loaded hydrogel group showed non-significant bone loss (P=0.25) with an average buccal bone height of 7.4±1.9 mm at follow-up.
• The hydrogel-alone group exhibited significant bone loss (P=0.04), with average buccal bone height decreasing from 9.4±3.8 mm to 7.5±3.3 mm.
• The natural healing group also showed significant bone loss (P=0.04), with average buccal bone height decreasing from 9.5±2.8 mm to 7.7±3 mm.

Conclusions:

• Chitosan-loaded EPO hydrogel significantly reduced ridge resorption compared to spontaneous healing and chitosan hydrogel alone.
• EPO incorporated within hydrogels demonstrates potential as an effective agent for alveolar ridge preservation.
• This biomaterial approach offers a promising strategy to mitigate post-extraction bone loss.