LAUSR

AIM To determine the effect of alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) in molar sites without primary flap closure. MATERIALS & METHODS Three groups were established: extraction sockets grafted with deproteinized bovine bone mineral containing 10% collagen (DBBM-C) and covered by a native bilayer collagen membrane (NBCM) (test group 1), sockets grafted with DBBM-C only (test group 2), and sockets that healed naturally (control group). Primary flap closure was not attempted. Cone-beam computed tomography scans were obtained immediately and then four months after ARP. A biopsy was performed. The change of the marginal bone level was measured. RESULTS There was significantly less horizontal resorption in test group 1 than in the control group at levels 1 mm (-1.02±0.88 [mean±SD] vs. -4.44±3.71 mm) and 3 mm (-0.31±1.51 vs. -2.27±1.15 mm) below the crest, and significantly less vertical reduction in the midcrestal area in test group 1 than in test group 2 (-0.25±0.95 vs. -1.15±1.63 mm) (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between test groups in clinical and histomorphometric measurements. All groups exhibited stable marginal bone levels after one year of loading. CONCLUSION ARP without primary flap closure in molar areas was effective in minimizing ridge resorption and facilitated implant treatment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.