A Clinical Comparison of Guided Bone Regeneration with Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-Enhanced Bone Ceramic Versus Autogenous Bone Block Grafting

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of guided bone regeneration (GBR) employing recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB (rhPDGF-BB) incorporated into a beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP)/hydroxyapatite (HA) carrier as a graft material and to compare it to autogenous bone block grafting. Materials and Methods: Adult patients with a site that required bone grafting to increase the thickness of the alveolar bone ridge were treated. After mucoperiosteal flap elevation, experimental bone defects were treated by GBR with rhPDGF incorporated into β-TCP/HA, and control defects were treated with autogenous bone. Primary tension-free wound closure was obtained for all treated sites. Results: Thirty patients were treated. No significant differences were observed between the groups for any of the parameters evaluated, including the amount of bone regeneration and a need for additional grafting. Conclusion: A composite bone ceramic graft that incorporated rhPDGF appears to be a suitable substitute for autogenous bone block grafting when employed in conjunction with GBR in humans. Keywords: bone grafting, dental implants, growth factors, guided bone regeneration, platelet-derived growth factor