Nonporous hydroxylapatite granules as an extracranial and extranasal augmenting material in dogs: technique and initial findings.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of nonporous hydroxylapatite (HA) granules as an extracranial and extranasal augmentation material in dogs. Clinical evaluation revealed that the HA granules became stable within 6 weeks and lost some of the augmented height. Histologic evaluation revealed no evidence of inflammation, bone resorption, or bone formation; also the granules were separated from other granules and the cranial surface by a layer of collagen fibers. This study concluded that nonporous HA granules are a practical extracranial and extranasal augmentation material, but its final augmentation contour is difficult to predict and control because of the consistency of the material. Either researchers need to develop a better method to stabilize HA granules in extracranial and extranasal applications or they need access to an HA block material that maintains better augmented contour.