Safety and performance of a novel collagenated xenogeneic bone block for lateral alveolar crest augmentation for staged implant placement

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the performance and safety of placing a collagenated xenogeneic bone block ( CXBB ) graft for the lateral bone augmentation of the alveolar crest prior to implant placement. Material & Methods In patients with single or multiple tooth gaps and a severe horizontal collapse of the alveolar ridge, a ridge augmentation procedure was performed using CXBB fixated with osteosynthesis screws to the atrophic bone crest and complemented with deproteinized bovine bone mineral particles ( DBBM ) and a native bilayer collagen membrane ( NBCM ). Patients were examined with CBCT prior to and 24 weeks after the augmentation. Twenty‐six weeks postoperatively, a re‐entry procedure was performed to evaluate the bone width and availability for adequate implant placement. Results Fifteen patients received 28 CXBB , and in 13 patients, a re‐entry procedure was performed. Eleven patients (84.6%) gained enough bone volume for implant insertion without additional contouring or secondary bone augmentation. The mean crest width at baseline was 2.83 mm ( SD 0.57), and the mean crest width at re‐entry was 6.90 mm ( SD 1.22), with a mean ridge width increase of 4.12 mm ( SD 1.32). Soft tissue dehiscence occurred during the follow‐up in 5 of 14 patients (35.7%) at various time points. In addition, there was a high incidence of early implant loss (30.8% [patient‐based]). Conclusions CXBB achieved significant horizontal crestal width gains allowing a secondary implant placement in the majority of the patients. However, the occurrence of soft tissue dehiscence may notably affect the outcome of the subsequent implant therapy.