The influence of wound closure on graft stability: An in vitro comparison of different bone grafting techniques for the treatment of one-wall horizontal bone defects

Objectives The aim of this preclinical study was to analyze and compare different grafting techniques with respect to volume stability after wound closure. Materials and Methods Four different grafting techniques were evaluated in vitro for volume stability in a one-wall horizontal defect configuration. Group 1: guided bone regeneration (GBR) with collagen membrane, particulated xenograft; group 2: GBR with collagen membrane, particulated xenograft, pins; group 3: GBR with titanium-reinforced membrane, particulated xenograft, pins; group 4: autogenous block graft, particulated xenograft, collagen membrane. Cone beam computed tomography scans were performed before and after wound closure, and the horizontal bone dimensions were analyzed for stability at 0-5 mm apical to the implant shoulder (H0-H5). Results At H0-H2, wound closure induced a statistically significant change in bone dimensions in groups 1 and 2. In group 3, only the change in H0 was significant, and for group 4, only H2 was significant. Conclusion Wound closure has a significant impact on graft stability in a one-wall horizontal defect configuration. GBR with additional membrane fixation showed better results than without. Titanium-reinforced membranes and autogenous blocks showed significantly greater volume stability than GBR with collagen membrane, especially in the coronal portion.