Microstructural volumetric analysis of vertical alveolar ridge augmentation using autogenous tooth roots

Abstract

Background: To volumetrically assess the bone microstructure following vertical alveolar ridge augmentation using differently conditioned autogenous tooth roots (TR) and second-stage implant placement.

Materials and methods: The upper premolars were bilaterally extracted in n = 4 beagle dogs and randomly assigned to either autoclavation (TR-A) or no additional treatment (TR-C). Subsequently, TR were used as block grafts for vertical alveolar ridge augmentation in both lower quadrants. At 12 weeks, titanium implants were inserted and left to heal 3 weeks. Microcomputed tomography was used to quantify bone volume per tissue volume (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp) at vestibular (v) and oral (o) aspects along the implant and in the augmented upper half of the implant, respectively.

Results: Median BV/TV [TR-C: 51.33% (v) and 70.42% (o) vs TR-A: 44.05% (v) and 64.46% (o)], Tb.th [TR-C: 0.22 mm (v) and 0.27 mm (o) vs TR-A: 0.23 mm (v) and 0.29 mm (o)] and Tb.Sp [TR-C: 0.26 mm (v) and 0.13 mm (o) vs TR-A: 0.29 μm (v) and 0.15 mm (o)] values were comparable in both groups.

Conclusion: Both TR-C and TR-A grafts were associated with a comparable bone microstructure within the grafted area.

Keywords: alveolar ridge augmentation; animal experiment; micro CT; morphometry; tooth transplantation.