LAUSR

AIM To determine the histological outcomes when using a highly porous synthetic bone substitute and a cross-linked collagen membrane for lateral bone augmentation of peri-implant dehiscence defects. METHODS In eight dogs, three treatment groups were randomly allocated at each peri-implant dehiscence defect (mean height × depth = 3 × 1 mm) as follows: (i) synthetic bone substitute covered by a cross-linked collagen membrane (test group), (ii) deproteinized bovine bone mineral covered by a natural collagen membrane (positive control), and (iii) no treatment (negative control). Two healing periods (8 and 16 weeks) were applied. RESULTS The differences in healing outcomes between the test and positive control groups were not significant at 8 weeks. Horizontal bone augmentation 2 mm below the implant shoulder was significantly greater in the test group (1.22 ± 0.53 mm) than in the positive and negative controls (0.42 ± 0.51 and 0.36 ± 0.50 mm, respectively) at 16 weeks. Similarly, the augmented tissue thickness at 0, 1, and 2 mm apical to the implant shoulder was significantly greater in the test group than in the positive control group. CONCLUSION The test group showed significantly better histological outcomes for lateral bone augmentation and tissue thickness at 16 weeks compared to both the positive and negative control groups.