The Clinical and Histologic Outcome of Dental Implant in Large Ridge Defect Regenerated With Alloplast: A Randomized Controlled Preclinical Trial

A basic tenant of successful osseointegration is that the implant resides in a sufficient quality and quantity of bone to ensure bone contact and thus stabilization. A prospective, randomized controlled preclinical trial was conducted to evaluate the bone-to-implant contact (BIC) when placing implants in bone regenerated by 3 different combinations of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP). Dental implants were placed into the regenerated ridges of 6 female foxhounds; the ridges were reconstructed with different formulations of BCP in combination with an hydroxyapatite collagen membrane. They were retrieved after 3 months to perform light microscopic and histomorphometric analyses. Implants in each group appeared to be stable and osseointegrated. Light microscopic evaluation revealed tight contacts between the implant threads with the surrounding bone for all 4 groups. The mean BIC ranged from 64.7% to 73.7%. This preclinical trial provided clinical and histologic evidence to support the efficacy of all 3 formulations of BCP to treat large alveolar ridge defects to receive osseointegrated dental implants.