Ridge Preservation and Augmentation Using Regenerative Materials to Enhance Implant Predictability and Esthetics (Cont.)

Abstract

Dentistry has entered an era in which patients no longer need to accept an edentulous or partially edentulous condition, or one in which their candidacy for tooth structure or replacement (ie, implants with subsequent restoration) must be dismissed because of insufficient alveolar bone volume, height, or width. The supporting bone can be preserved at the time of tooth extraction, or augmented at the time of case presentation, using a variety of available regenerative materials. Among them are mineralized human allograft bone and collagen membranes that can be placed in comination with specifc growth factor complexes and implant designs. This article reviews the challenges associated with adequately preserving or augmenting the alveolar bone after tooth extraction or loss and before implant placement. The research and benefits to support using allogenic bone graft and membrane materials for such procedures are detailed, and 3 clinical cases are presented to demonstrate the clinically successful incorporation of these materials with the host tissues.