Alveolar Ridge Preservation Using a Composite Graft Plug: Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes From a Randomized...

Various grafting materials have been used for alveolar ridge preservation with varying degrees of success in maintaining ridge dimensions. This study compared the clinical and radiographic outcomes of a composite graft plug containing bioactive, resorbable calcium apatite crystals embedded in a collagen matrix with those of a corticocancellous allograft. This randomized clinical trial included 24 participants requiring single-rooted tooth extractions. The participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: composite plug or allograft. Clinical measurements of soft tissue thickness were obtained at baseline and 4 months postextraction using a stent with reference points at 4, 7, and 10 mm apical to the gingival margin of the tooth to be extracted. Furthermore, radiographic assessments were conducted using cone-beam computerized tomography at the same reference points. The results revealed significant increases in soft tissue thickness in both groups with the composite plug group showing a greater increase. Radiographic analysis indicated greater reductions in bone width in the composite plug group across all horizontal measurement levels than in the allograft group. The differences in alveolar ridge width reduction between the groups were 1.36, 1.3, and 1 mm at the specified reference points. However, the composite plug performed better than the allograft in maintaining vertical height. In conclusion, within the limitations of this study, socket preservation using allografts combined with a collagen plug appears to be more effective than composite graft plugs for preserving ridge width.