Three-Dimensional Evaluation of Bone Changes Following Ridge Preservation Procedures

Purpose: To evaluate three-dimensionally the bone change following ridge preservation procedures (RPP) using computed tomography (CT). Materials and Methods: Subjects in need of implant therapy were enrolled in the study. The teeth were extracted, and sockets underwent RPP with a bioactive glass (Inion BioRestore, Inion Oy). The patients were scanned with CT within 1 week and 3 months after surgery. Horizontal and vertical radiographic measurements were performed on superimposed CT scans to evaluate bone changes in the alveolar sites during the 3-month period. Results: Thirteen subjects participated, and 32 teeth were extracted and treated with grafting. Alveolar sites treated with RPP demonstrated a preservation of about 77% of the original width dimensions, with a mean loss of 1.8 ± 1.1 mm in width. Moreover, it was observed that the vertical loss of buccal bone was 2.7 ± 1.1 mm, while the loss of lingual bone was 1.9 ± 1.2 mm. Conclusions: The CT evaluation was helpful to assess that the bone loss in width was less than the vertical bone loss of both walls 3 months after RPP. Keywords: alveolar ridge preservation, bioactive glass, bone morphometry, computed tomography, graft material