Assessment of clinical outcomes and histomorphometric findings in alveolar ridge augmentation procedures with allogeneic bone block grafts: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

This systematic literature review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of allogeneic bone blocks for ridge augmentation by assessing block survival rates and subsequent implant survival, including post-surgical complications and histomorphometric analysis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An electronic and manual search among references, was conducted up to April 2019 by two independent authors. Inclusion criteria were: human clinical trials in which the outcomes of allogeneic bone block grafts were evaluated by means of their survival rates and subsequent implant success rates.

RESULTS

Seven articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. A total of 323 allogeneic block grafts were monitored for a minimum of 12 months follow-up after surgery, of which thirteen (4.02%) failed. Regarding the cumulative implant survival rate, the weighted mean was 97.36%, computed from 501 implants. Histologic and histomorphometric analysis showed that allogeneic block grafts presented some clinical and microstructural differences in comparison with autologous block grafts.

CONCLUSIONS

Atrophic alveolar crest reconstruction with allogeneic bone block grafts would appear a feasible alternative to autologous bone block grafts, obtaining a low block graft failure rate, similar implant survival rate and fewer postoperative complications. Further investigations generating long term data are needed to confirm these findings.