The Effects of Bone Grafting Material and A Collagen Membrane in the Ridge Splitting Technique: an Experimental Study in Dogs

OBJECTIVES:This study was designed to evaluate the effect of bone graft materials and collagen membranes in ridge splitting procedures with immediate implant placement using a dog model.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Mandibular premolars were extracted in five beagle dogs. After 3 months, ridge splitting and placement of three OsseoSpeed implants were performed bilaterally. The gaps between the implants were allocated according to the following eight treatment modalities; Group 1(no graft), Group 2 (autogenous bone), Group 3 (Bio-Oss Collagen), Group 4 (Bio-Oss), Group 5 (no graft+BioGide), Group 6 (autogenous bone+BioGide), Group 7 (Bio-Oss Collagen+BioGide), and Group 8 (Bio-Oss +BioGide). The dogs were sacrificed after 8 or 12 weeks and the specimens were analyzed histologically and histometrically.RESULTS:The gaps between the implants were filled with the newly formed bone, irrespective of which of the eight grafting techniques was used. Group 1 revealed a significantly lower percentage of bone-to-implant contact (BIC) than Group 5 at 8 and 12 weeks (P<0.05). Group 1 showed the most prominent marginal bone loss (MBL) at 12 weeks (P<0.05). Regarding the use of membranes, Groups 1 and 2 showed significantly more MBL than Groups 5 and 6 at 12 weeks (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS:After ridge splitting, if the gaps between implants were grafted or covered with collagen membranes, a higher percentage of BIC was obtained. Based on our results, we suggest that the use of bone graft materials and/or collagen membranes is better for the prevention of MBL after ridge splitting procedures.