Effect of ridge preservation for early implant placement – is there a need to remove the biomaterial?

Abstract Aim To assess (i) bone regeneration around implants placed early in sites with or without ridge preservation and (ii) if the bone substitute material ( DBBM ‐C) has to be removed at implant placement. Materials and methods In eight beagle dogs, three sites were randomly assigned to ridge preservation ( DBBM ‐C plus collagen matrix ( CMX )) (two sites; RP ) or spontaneous healing (1 site; SH ). Four weeks later, in one of the RP sites, dental implants were placed without removing the DBBM ‐C ( RP 1), whereas in RP 2 and SH sites all non‐integrated DBBM ‐C and/or granulation tissue were removed before implant placement and concomitant GBR . Histomorphometric outcomes were assessed at 4 and 12 weeks. Results The median buccal fBIC (first bone‐to‐implant contact) was located more apical in groups RP 1: 1.34 mm (0.09; 2.96) and RP 2: 1.41 mm (0.54; 2.72) than in group SH : 0.79 mm (0.26; 1.50) ( p = 0.452) at 4 weeks. At 12 weeks, median buccal fBIC values were for RP 1: 0.88 mm (0.00; 2.33), for RP 2: 0.16 mm (0.00; 1.33) and for SH : 0.00 mm (0.00; 0.98) ( p = 0.362). BIC values increased over 12 weeks in all groups. Conclusions Ridge preservation followed by early implant placement led to higher BIC values at 12 than at 4 weeks. There is no need to remove the biomaterial at implant placement to ensure osseointegration. No relevant differences were observed between the three groups for any outcome measure.