The use of a collagenated porcine cortical lamina in the reconstruction of alveolar ridge defects. A clinical and histological study.

Background: Alveolar ridge reconstruction by means of resorbable and non-resorbable membranes has been proposed to increase the hard tissue volume in deficient sites. The purpose of this study was therefore to clinically and histologically evaluate the use of collagenated porcine bone lamina in case of horizontal and vertical bone augmentation procedures in conjunction with particulated porcine xenograft.

Methods: Overall, 8 partially edentulous patients (6 females and 2 males) with a mean age of 45 years requiring bone regeneration procedures to achieve a prosthetically driven implant placement were enrolled. All ridge defects were augmented using a xenogeneic cortical bone barrier in combination with particulated heterologous bone. Bone biopsies were collected during the re-entry procedure.

Results: A total of 15 implants were placed both simultaneously or in a staged approach in the augmented sites. No complications occurred during the rehabilitation. Histologically, the bone lamina was widely vascularized and integrated with the surrounding soft tissues and the native bone. The presence of osteoclastic lacunae suggested an active remodelling of the particulated graft and a gradual substitution with the newly formed bone.

Conclusion: Alveolar reconstruction by means of the collagenated cortical lamina gave promising clinical and histological results. The rigidity and the slow resorption pattern allowed for the blood clot protection even in case of vertical defects, avoiding at the same time the re-entry surgery for its removal.