Effectiveness of Xenograft and Porcine-Derived Resorbable Membrane in Augmentation of Posterior Extraction Sockets with a Severe Wall Defect. A Radiographic/Tomographic Evaluation.

Objectives: The aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate, by means of intraoral periapical radiographs and cone-beam computed tomography, hard tissue changes after ridge augmentation procedures in posterior extraction sockets with severe wall defects.

Material and methods: Twenty patients, with a non-restorable premolar/molar tooth and severe wall defect, were enrolled in the present study, and underwent single-tooth extraction. Extraction sites were grafted with porcine-derived bone covered by porcine-derived collagen membrane. Intraoral periapical radiographs and cone-beam computed tomography scans, obtained at enrolment, and 6 months after ridge augmentation procedures were analysed and compared.

Results: In the intraoral periapical radiographs, mean vertical bone gains detected at the distal, central and mesial aspects of the extraction sockets were 3.5 (SD 1.1) mm, 8.2 (SD 2.1) mm, and 3.9 (SD 1.7) mm, respectively. In the cone-beam computed tomography scans, the mean vertical bone gains detected at the more vestibular and more palatal aspects were 4.4 (SD 1.9) mm, and 3.3 (SD 2.8) mm, respectively. The mean horizontal bone gain was 3.5 (SD 1.6) mm. In all examined defects, mean vertical and horizontal bone levels showed a statistically significant increase (P < 0.05) at 6 months after extraction.

Conclusions: Within the limits of this study, the results suggest that porcine-derived bone graft covered by a collagen membrane can support significant vertical and horizontal bone gain at posterior post-extraction sockets with severe wall defects.