Efficacy of reactive soft tissue for alveolar ridge preservation: a prospective cohort study.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) sealing using reactive soft tissue (RST) or collagen sponge (CS), in combination with deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM), for teeth with bone deficiency.

Materials And Methods: In this study, 44 patients were recruited. During ARP therapy, RST or CS was applied for socket sealing. Horizontal and vertical bone dimensions were assessed before extraction (T0) and 6 months after ARP (T2). Modified Masse healing index (HI) was recorded to evaluate the soft tissue healing at 14 days after ARP (T1) and T2. Keratinized mucosa width (KMW) was measured at T0 and T2. Biopsies were collected during implant placement for histological analysis.

Results: This study was finished by 40 patients. Horizontal ridge gains at 1, 3, and 5 mm below the crest were comparable in RST (4.37/5.57/4.16 mm) and CS (3.57/4.66/2.97 mm) groups. Similar vertical bone gains at both buccal and lingual sides were observed in RST and CS groups. Notably, the sockets in the RST group exhibited a significantly better early healing score (6) at T1 relative to the CS group (7) (p = 0.003). There was no significant difference in KMW changes as well as new bone proportion between the groups.

Conclusions: RST and CS, when combined with DBBM, both effectively reduced ridge resorption in sockets with bone deficiency. RST demonstrated a more favorable effect on the early healing of sockets.

Clinical Relevance: RST is a promising socket sealing material in ARP, which reduces bone resorption, and promotes soft tissue healing.

Trial Registration: Clinical trial registration Number: ChiCTR2200061459.