A Bovine-Bone Mineral Block for the Treatment of Severe Ridge Deficiencies in the Anterior Region: A Clinical Case Report

A bovine-bone mineral block was used to treat a severe horizontal and vertical anterior ridge deficiency. Such a block can be shaped to conform to the defect, and it avoids the need for harvesting autogenous bone or fixation of the block with screws. After a 6-month integration period, an implant was placed. Six months later the implant was restored with a single crown. The case has been followed for 3 years. Slow bone resorption has been observed at the interface between the block and the surrounding bone, but the interproximal bone peaks, important for soft tissue support and esthetics, have been maintained over time. The 3-year follow-up results suggest that bovine-bone mineral blocks may be a suitable bone-replacement material for augmentation of extensive alveolar ridge defects in the anterior region. Keywords: bone grafting, bovine bone mineral block, vertical augmentation