Objective: This case series reports short- and long-term healing, before and after placement of an implant, in posterior mandibular extraction sites grafted with demineralized, freeze-dried bone matrix (DFDBM) allograft mixed with calcium sulphate graft binder.
Methods: Three patients who underwent surgical extraction of a posterior mandibular molar experienced partial loss of the buccal bone plate at the extraction site. Alveolar bone reconstruction with a DFDBM allograft mixed with calcium sulphate graft binder was performed immediately. The graft was covered with a biodegradable regenerative membrane. For each of the 3 patients, the implant and healing abutment were placed after 6, 9 and 12 months, respectively, followed by crown placement 3, 5 and 5 months later, respectively. The implants were periodically re-evaluated, both clinically and radiographically, between 10 and 39 months after final insertion of the crown. An implant stability device was used to evaluate the long-term biological and functional stability of the implants.
Results: Upon exposure and implant placement, the grafted alveolar ridge in all patients presented appropriately sized, dense and well-vascularized bone, wide enough to receive the planned wide-platform implant. The long-term interface stability quotient ranged from 87 to 90.
Conclusions: Posterior mandibular extraction sites with compromised buccal alveolar bone may be effectively managed by immediate alveolar augmentation using a mixture of DFDBM allograft and calcium sulphate graft binder. This approach provides ideal alveolar form and consistency for eventual placement of the implant.