Alveolar Ridge Preservation Using a Bovine derived Bone Graft in Association with Titanium Foil - A Prospective Case Series.

Aims: To estimate the change in the alveolar ridge by means of a new alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) approach, using an anodized titanium foil (Tseal) associated with a bovine bone graft (BBG) by cone-beam computerized tomography.

Materials and methods: Sixteen patients, each presenting one hopeless tooth, were selected and these teeth were carefully extracted. The alveolar socket was filled with BBG and the Tseal was trimmed and adapted to the bone crest. The primary outcome variable was the change in the alveolar dimension (AD) measurements between baseline (T1) and 6 months (T2) 1mm below the palatal bone.

Results: Imaging assessment of AD demonstrated a decreased value in all subjects. The absolute rate and percentage of absorption between T1 and T2 time point showed statistically significant differences. The mean AD varied from 9.88 ± 2.04 mm (T1) to 8.85 ± 1.92 mm (T2). On average, this ARP procedure maintained 89.55% ± 6.11% of the distance of between the buccal and palatal wall. No differences were observed between the maxilla and mandible (p greater than 0.05).

Conclusion: The application of a bovine bone graft covered with Tseal resulted in clinically important horizontal preservation of the alveolar ridge at 6 months after extraction.