LAUSR

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the supplemental periodontal regeneration on adjacent teeth by vertical ridge augmentation around dental implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS The second premolar and the fourth premolar were extracted from both sides of the mandible in four beagle dogs. After 2 months, defects 3 mm and 5 mm deep were formed. In the test group, vertical ridge augmentation was performed around a dental implant, and in the control group, vertical ridge augmentation was performed without implant placement. The animals were euthanized 3 months after the procedure, and radiographic, histomorphometric analyses were performed. RESULTS Overall, the test group showed better results than the control group. The presence of new cementum in the histological examination of the test group confirmed that vertical ridge augmentation with proper space maintaining could contribute to periodontal regeneration of adjacent teeth. Statistically significant difference in new bone height (%) was found in group I (5-mm defect depth and implant placement, GBR) when compared with group III (5-mm defect depth, GBR), IV (3-mm defect depth, GBR). New bone area (%) was statistically different between groups I and IV. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, within the limitation of this study using mandibular residual ridges after extraction of a single tooth in dogs, grafted space was maintained by dental implants better in the deep defect (5-mm depth) than the shallow defect (3-mm depth). Vertical ridge augmentation around dental implants also promoted neighboring periodontal regeneration.