Radiographic changes in height and volume after lateral GBR procedures with different ratios of deproteinized bovine bone mineral and autogenous bone at different time points. An experimental study

OBJECTIVE: Estimate changes in augmentation height and volume after lateral guided bone regeneration (GBR) augmentation with different ratios of deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) and particulate autogenous bone (PAB) and autogenous bone block (ABB), at different time points.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-four minipigs were randomly allocated into three heling periods. Lateral augmentation in 96 sites with standardized quantity of graft material was performed with different ratios of DBBM and PAB (50:50, 75:25 and 100:0) and ABB in combination with DBBM, covered by a collagen membrane. Changes in augmentation height and volume were assessed on CT volumes acquired 10, 20, and 30 weeks after surgery.

RESULTS: Reduction in bone augmentation height was: 50:50 - 1.7 mm (-33.1%), 75:25 - 1.8 mm (-37.8%), 100:0 - 1.7 mm (-35.8%), and ABB - 0.2 mm (-3.7%), after 30 weeks. The augmentation height was significantly better preserved with ABB compared to 50:50, 75:25, and 100:0, while no significant difference was present among particulate grafts. No significant difference in volumetric reduction was found among 50:50, 75:25, 100:0 and ABB after 30 weeks, while 100:0 presented significant less reduction compared to 50:50, 75:25 and ABB after 10 and 20 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS: Augmentation height following GBR was better preserved with ABB covered with DBBM. Addition of PAB to DBBM did not affect the changes in height of the graft. The volumetric stability seems to be comparable for ABB covered by DBBM and all particulate grafts after 30 weeks. However, DBBM alone revealed significant less volume reduction in the early healing phase.