Evaluation of In Situ Hardening β-Tricalcium Phosphate/Poly(lactic-co-glycolide) Bone Substitute Used in Edentulous Ridge Preservation for Late Implant Placement: Case Series.

INTRODUCTION

The bioresorbable polymer poly(lactide-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) coated β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) (β-TCP/PLGA) bone substitute hardens into a stable and porous hard tissue scaffold when exposed to body fluids. Effectiveness of the novel alloplast has been examined in edentulous ridge preservation (ERP) following tooth extraction with subsequent early endosseous dental implant placement; however, it is not clear that the biomaterial is capable of maintaining the edentulous ridge volume to allow for late implant placement due to the rapid bioresorption property of β-TCP. The purpose of this case series is to determine if the β-TCP/PLGA bone substitute is a desirable material for ERP followed by late implant placement.

CASE PRESENTATION

Two patients were treated with ERP and prepared for future endosseous dental implant placement. The β-TCP/PLGA alloplast was placed in the extraction socket. The grafted site of one of the patients was covered by a bioresorbable membrane due to the critical loss of buccal plate. Endosseous dental implant fixtures were placed in both patients 10 months following ERP. Bone core specimens were taken at the time of endosseous dental implant fixture placement and were prepared for histologic assessment. The edentulous ridge volume was successfully maintained for dental implant placement in both cases. Histomorphometric analysis showed that the β-TCP/PLGA alloplast was replaced by newly formed bone with or without guided bone regeneration membrane placement, 54.1% and 34.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The β-TCP/PLGA bone substitute exhibited effectiveness in edentulous ridge preservation followed by late endosseous dental implant placement.