Retrospective volume analysis of bone remodeling after tooth extraction with and without deproteinized bovine bone mineral insertion

Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyze volume changes of post-extractive sockets grafted with or without deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) and a resorbable barrier. Materials and methods: This retrospective analysis utilized patients who had undergone tooth extraction. Sites, one per patient, were allocated to two groups: post-extractive non-grafted sockets (NG) and post-extractive grafted sockets with DBBM and resorbable barrier insertion (G). Maximal primary soft tissue closure was sought for both procedures. Before extraction and 6 months later, three-dimensional features of the sockets (linear indexes, areas, and volumes) and outcome variables at 6 months (volume- and surface changes) were acquired through computer tomography scans. Intra- and inter-group comparisons of the outcome variables were performed. Nonparametric tests were applied with a level of significance set at P < 0.01. Results: Twenty-four sites, 9 grafted and 15 ungrafted, were enrolled. Between baseline and the 6-month evaluation, significant bone volume loss, superior surface shrinkage, and height reduction were registered for the G (72 mm3, 76 mm2, and 0.5 mm, respectively) and the NG group (274 mm3, 87 mm2, and 1.8 mm, respectively) with all P-values ≤ 0.0039. A significant difference, regarding the percentage of the volume change, was registered between the two procedures with a volume loss of 9.9% for the grafted sockets and 34.8% for the ungrafted ones (P-value = 0.0073). Conclusion: Grafting of the sockets with DBBM and a resorbable barrier insertion seemed to reduce negative osseous remodeling in the short term when compared to that of the ungrafted sockets.