October 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to histologically evaluate newly generated vital bone using porous granules of bioactive and resorbable silica-calcium phosphate nanocomposite(SCPC) in extraction sockets. Material and methods: Six patients with a non-restorable maxillary central incisor requiring extraction followed by implant placement participated in the study. Extraction sockets were grafted with granules of SCPC. After 6 months, a bone core sample was retrieved from the center of the healed socket for histologic analysis, and dental implants were placed. Alveolar bone width was clinically assessed immediately after tooth extraction and 6 months after bone grafting, at the time of implant placement. Alveolar bone height was radiographically assessed immediately after tooth extraction and 6 months after extraction. Results: Histomorphometric analyses of sockets grafted with SCPC for 6 months revealed 46.8% ± 14% new vital bone and 2.5% ± 1.5% graft material remnants. In these sockets, the mean bone height resorption over the 6-month period of healing was 1.6 mm ± 1.5 mm. The mean bone width resorption of 2 mm ± 0.7 mm was found at the bone crest. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that SCPC graft material reduces the amount of change in alveolar ridge dimensions after tooth extraction and facilitates the regeneration of new vital bone.