Bone Volume Dynamics and Implant Placement Torque in Horizontal Bone Defects Reconstructed with Autologous or Xenogeneic Block Bone: A Randomized, Controlled, Split-Mouth, Prospective Clinical Trial

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate volumetric stability of autologous and xenogeneic block grafts and primary stability of implants in maxillary grafted areas. Materials and Methods: Each patient received one autologous block and xenogeneic block, both covered with a membrane. Bone thickness measurements clinically and tomographically were made before, immediately, and 6 months postoperatively. After 6 months, identical implants were placed in each grafted area, and primary stability was measured. Results: Eight patients with anterior horizontal bone defects were selected. Clinical outcomes at 6 months postgrafting in the autologous block revealed a mean thickness of 7.4 ± 1.6 mm, with an initial mean measurement of 3.4 ± 1.7 mm and 2.6% resorption, whereas the mean in the xenogeneic block was 8.9 ± 1.5 mm, 3.3 ± 1.6 mm, and 7.3%, respectively. Tomographic evaluation of the thickness at 6 months postgrafting in the autologous block was a mean 7.8 ± 1.8 mm, with an initial mean of 3.7 ± 1.6 mm and resorption of 0%, while the mean in the xenogeneic block was 9.3 ± 1.6 mm, 3.6 ± 1.4 mm, and 2.1%, respectively. No significant difference in bone thickness was observed immediately or 6 months after the procedure. The mean implant placement torque was 32 ± 22 Ncm in the autologous block and 18 ± 9 Ncm in the xenogeneic block (P = .004). Conclusion: Xenogeneic block was shown to be a suitable alternative to reconstruct horizontal defects in the alveolar ridge that had undergone extensive resorption, though lower insertion torques were obtained during implant placement. Keywords: bone block graft, bone grafts, xenogeneic bone block graft