Ridge preservation following tooth extraction using mineralized freeze-dried bone allograft compared to mineralized solvent-dehydrated bone allograft: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Background Freeze dried bone allograft (FDBA) and solvent dehydrated bone allograft (SDBA) are both commonly used in alveolar ridge preservation. Previous studies have suggested SDBA may have advantages over FDBA due to a unique processing method. The primary objective of this study was to histologically compare the healing outcome between FDBA and SDBA when used for ridge preservation. Changes in morphometric ridge parameters were evaluated as a secondary outcome. Methods Forty-four patients requiring extraction and ridge preservation were randomized into two groups: FDBA (control group) or SDBA (test group). Patients returned 12 weeks post-extraction and ridge preservation for implant placement. A bone core was taken in the planned implant osteotomy site and evaluated histomorphometrically to determine the percentage of vital bone, residual graft material, and connective/other tissue. Changes in clinical ridge dimensions were also evaluated for patients in both treatment groups. Results The FDBA group showed a mean of 24.08% vital bone, 22.96% residual graft material, and 52.95% CT/other. The SDBA group showed a mean of 27.19% vital bone, 23.38% residual graft material, and 49.41% CT/other. No statistical differences were found between groups in the mean outcomes for histologic parameters or in dimensional change of the alveolar ridge. Conclusion This study provides the first histologic comparison between the wound healing of FDBA and SDBA over a 12-week healing period in a ridge preservation application. The findings suggest no significant benefit or drawback with the use of either FDBA or SDBA when comparing histomorphometric parameters or clinical dimensional changes.