Effects of decortication in the treatment of bone defect around particulate dentin-coated implants: an experimental pilot study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of decortication during bone grafting in defect areas surrounding particulate dentin-coated implants.

Study Design: Six dogs were randomly assigned to 3 groups, and each group was further divided into 2 subgroups. The subgroups consisted of dogs that received particulate dentin-coated implants after 4 or 8 weeks. The defects were treated as follows: control group, unfilled defect; experimental group 1, defect filled with Tutoplast without decortication; experimental group 2, defect filled with Tutoplast with decortication. Histologic sections and histomorphometric analysis were obtained 4 and 8 weeks after surgery.

Results: Compared to the 4-week subgroup, statistically significant new bone formation was observed in the 8-week subgroup. In the 4-week subgroup, the area of new bone formation was larger in the group that underwent cortical bone perforation with bone grafting; however, no significant difference was detected within the 8-week subgroup.

Conclusion: According to these results, decortication increases early bone formation after implant placement.