The effects of bone grafting material and a collagen membrane in the ridge splitting technique: an experimental study in dogs

Abstract

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of bone graft materials and collagen membranes in ridge splitting procedures with immediate implant placement using a dog model.

Materials and methods: Mandibular premolars were extracted in five beagle dogs. After 3 months, ridge splitting and placement of three OsseoSpeed ™ implants were performed bilaterally. The gaps between the implants were allocated according to the following eight treatment modalities; Group 1(no graft), Group 2 (autogenous bone), Group 3 (Bio-Oss ® Collagen), Group 4 (Bio-Oss ®), Group 5 (no graft+BioGide ®), Group 6 (autogenous bone+BioGide ®), Group 7 (Bio-Oss ® Collagen+BioGide ®), and Group 8 (Bio-Oss ®+BioGide ®). The dogs were sacrificed after 8 or 12 weeks and the specimens were analyzed histologically and histometrically.

Results: The gaps between the implants were filled with the newly formed bone, irrespective of which of the eight grafting techniques was used. Group 1 revealed a significantly lower percentage of bone-to-implant contact (BIC) than Group 5 at 8 and 12 weeks (P<0.05). Group 1 showed the most prominent marginal bone loss (MBL) at 12 weeks (P<0.05). Regarding the use of membranes, Groups 1 and 2 showed significantly more MBL than Groups 5 and 6 at 12 weeks (P<0.05).

Conclusions: After ridge splitting, if the gaps between implants were grafted or covered with collagen membranes, a higher percentage of BIC was obtained. Based on our results, we suggest that the use of bone graft materials and/or collagen membranes is better for the prevention of MBL after ridge splitting procedures.