A comparative study of ridge preservation using calcium sulfate and collagen membrane with and without freeze-dried bone allograft following tooth extraction

Aim Alveolar ridge resorption after tooth extraction is a growing challenge in implant therapy. Various surgical techniques have been suggested to minimize ridge volume loss. In this study, we compared the efficacy of medical grade calcium sulfate (MGCS) with and without freeze-dried bone allograft (FDBA) in alveolar ridge preservation. Materials and Methods In this randomized clinical trial, we assigned 77 premolar and molar extracted sockets to the following groups: MGCS (n=26), MGCS+FDBA (n=25), and control (no intervention; n=26). The filled sockets were covered by a collagen membrane. All groups returned 3 months after the intervention. We used a digital caliper and intraoral parallel radiography to assess changes in ridge width and height. Results A total of 64 out of 77 patients returned for the 3-month follow-up. No significant difference existed between the groups with respect to age, gender, type and position of the extracted teeth. The control group had significantly greater reductions in both ridge width and height compared to the MGCS and MGCS+FDBA groups (P<0.0001). We observed no significant difference between the MGCS and MGCS+FDBA groups with respect to alterations in the alveolar ridge dimensions (P>0.05). Men had significantly greater changes in ridge height compared to women (P<0.01). Alterations in ridge width were significantly higher in the mandibular compared to maxillary teeth (P<0.05). Conclusion There is no difference between effectiveness of MGCS and MGCS+FDBA in preserving human ridge dimensions up to 3 months after a tooth extraction. However, additional studies are proposed to verify these results.