Comparative evaluation of autologous dental bone powder and deproteinized bovine bone mineral allografts for oral implant bone deficits

ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of autologous dental bone powder grafts with deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) allografts in oral implant bone deficiency. MethodsBetween January 2021 and January 2023, we enrolled 120 patients with inadequate bone for oral implantation, dividing them into an experimental group and a control group (60 each). The experimental group received autologous dental bone powder grafts, while the control group received DBBM allografts. Wound healing was assessed using the early healing index (EHI) with 5 days of closure as the baseline timeline, as Grade I: full closure without a fibrin line, Grade II: closure with a fibrin line, and Grade III: closure with fibrin covering the incision. Additional outcomes included buccal and palatal alveolar bone height, alveolar bone width at 3 (W1), 7 (W2), and 11 mm (W3) below the top of the alveolar ridge, and bone density measured before and 3 months after tooth extraction. The altered shape of the alveolar bone at the extraction site was assessed at 3- and 6-months post-extraction. Implant success rate was also evaluated at 15 days and 1 month after implantation. Comparisons were made using independent t-tests, paired t-tests, chi(2) tests, and Z tests, as appropriate. ResultsThe experimental group had a lower wound healing time and a greater prevalence of EHI categorization class I compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Three months after tooth extraction, there was no statistically significant difference in buccal and palatal alveolar bone heights between the experimental group and the pre-treatment measurements (P > 0.05). However, the control group showed a decrease in buccal and palatal alveolar bone heights compared to the pre-treatment period, while the experimental group had greater bone heights than the control group (P < 0.05). Three months after extraction, the widths of W1, W2, and W3 decreased in both groups. However, the experimental group maintained greater widths compared to the control group (P < 0.05). At 3 months post-extraction, both groups showed an increase in alveolar bone density at the extraction site. Notably, the experimental group had a higher bone density compared to the control group as well as new bone contour score of the alveolar bone at the extraction site (P < 0.05). However, at 6 months after extraction, there was no statistically significant difference in the new bone contour score of the alveolar bone at the extraction site between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the implant success rate between the two groups. (P > 0.05). ConclusionsAutologous dental bone powder grafting promotes initial alveolar bone regeneration, enhances wound healing, and increases new bone density, providing favorable surgical conditions for dental implants. However, by 6 months, there was no significant difference in bone contour compared to DBBM allografts, indicating similar long-term clinical outcomes for both materials.