The long-term safety of xenografts and their potential association with disease are valid concerns. Bovine bone substitutes which are by far the most commonly used xenografts in dentistry are not biodegradable. The aim of the present report was to raise awareness on the long-term risks of the bovine-derived xenografts. Patients who experienced clinical complications after xenografting are reported. Patients' demographic, significant medical, and dental findings are reported. Complications included migration/encapsulation/displacement of the graft material, chronic inflammation, and soft-tissue disturbances/fenestrations. Albeit some xenograft complications are not significant enough to compromise the initial outcomes achieved, the xenografted particles seemed to be left intact favoring conditions for migration. The authors observed the inability of the human host to biodegrade the xenograft particles. The intact/migrated bovine bone particles present a risk to patients and may contribute to long-term clinical complications in implant dentistry.
Keywords: Anorganic bovine bone substitutes; bone transplantation; bovine-derived graft; complications; dental implant; maxillary sinus; xenograft.
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