GRAFTING HETEROLOGOUS BONE BLOCKS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO AUTOLOGOUS BONE IN THE ATROPHIC ANTERIOR MAXILLA

A comparison between autologous cancellous-cortical blocks and an equine-derived cancellous bone  block grafts

This clinical study was designed to investigate the clinical behavior and assess the volumetric dimensional changes of a cancellous heterologous bone graft, when used to treat anterior maxilla bone defects, in comparison to cortical-cancellous autogenous bone blocks.
Seven patients presenting with bone atrophy of the anterior maxilla area received two block grafts in a split mouth design: an autogenous bone block collected from the ascending ramus and an equine- derived bone block. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were recorded before the graft surgery (TO), 15 days (T1) and 6 months after the grafting surgery (T2). Bone and graft volume were analyzed using the SimPlant Crystal Pro® software (Materialise, Lueven – Belgium). No complications were observed and all implants could be placed into the planned positions. Equine-derived bone blocks showed a significant smaller volume reduction than autogenous ones (9.2±1.6% vs. 14.6±1.2%, respectively, p<0.05]
Preliminary results of this clinical study suggest that heterologous bone blocks might be used as a valid alternative to autogenous, intra- orally collected, bone block grafts to obtain sufficient bone volume for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the atrophic anterior maxilla.

PRODUCTS USED: Cancellous Blocks, Granules Mix, Biocollagen membrane