Purpose of review: A variety of bone grafting materials is available to facilitate the augmentation of defective alveolar ridges. This review evaluates current literature regarding bone grafting materials with emphasis on autologous and allogeneic bone block augmentation.
Recent findings: Autogenous bone is a reliable grafting material providing predictable long-term results with high implant survival/success rates and low morbidity rates. The resorption properties of the iliac crest are well known and are compared with calvarial grafts more prominent. Recent studies demonstrated surgical techniques to prevent graft resorption after iliac crest grafting. Allogeneic block graft and implant survival rates appear promising in short-term clinical studies.
Summary: At this stage, iliac crest remains the gold standard in large alveolar bone defects. Autogenous material is not a panacea; however, none of the available materials can currently surpass it. Rather, each material has its specific advantage for certain indications. Evident long-term studies of allogeneic bone grafting are lacking. Detected cells in allogeneic bone substitute material are positive for major histocompatibility complex classes I and II. Despite the promising clinical results achieved with allogeneic bone grafts, the current literature lacks sufficient data on antigenicity.