Osseoretention? Comparative assessment of particulate hydroxyapatite inserted beneath immediate dentures

Area of Science:

• Oral surgery
• Dental implantology
• Biomaterials science

Background:

• Alveolar bone resorption is a significant concern following tooth extraction, impacting residual ridge form and denture stability.
• Immediate denture placement can exacerbate bone loss, necessitating strategies for ridge preservation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of dense non-resorbable hydroxyapatite granules in mitigating bone resorption.
• To assess the impact of hydroxyapatite granules on residual alveolar ridge morphology.
• To investigate the role of these granules in conjunction with immediate denture provision.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled study involving 35 canine subjects requiring bilateral lower canine and adjacent tooth extractions.
• Placement of dense non-resorbable hydroxyapatite granules into fresh extraction sockets at the time of immediate denture insertion.
• Comparison of bone resorption and ridge form between the implant (hydroxyapatite) group and the control group at six months post-extraction.

Main Results:

• The control group exhibited four times greater bone loss compared to the hydroxyapatite granule group at six months.
• Statistically significant differences in bone loss were observed between the groups (P=0.000, LHS and P=0.001, RHS).
• Hydroxyapatite granules demonstrated a protective effect on alveolar bone volume and morphology.

Conclusions:

• Dense non-resorbable hydroxyapatite granules are effective in reducing post-extraction bone resorption.
• The use of hydroxyapatite granules preserves residual alveolar ridge form, beneficial for immediate denture patients.
• This biomaterial represents a viable option for enhancing outcomes in socket preservation procedures.