A prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter evaluation of extraction socket preservation comparing two bovine xenografts: clinical and histologic outcomes.

The aim of this prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter study was to evaluate and compare the histologic and histomorphometric aspects of extraction sockets grafted with two commercially available bovine bone xenografts: Endobon (test group) and Bio-Oss (control group). The study was designed to ensure that baseline variables between groups were as similar as possible to allow for a direct comparison of graft healing characteristics. Thirty-eight patients contributed 62 augmented extraction sites to the study. All sites were grafted with one type of bovine bone mineral and covered with a resorbable collagen membrane for 6 months of healing prior to implant placement surgery. The histologic outcomes between the two treatment groups are similar, with de novo bone (mean +/- SD) for the test group at 28.5% +/- 20% and for the control group, 31.4% +/- 18%. Histologic specimens also include membrane remnants. All but two implants integrated successfully after 1 year of follow-up. This investigation provides support for the efficacy of bovine bone xenograft for socket preservation when subsequent implant placement is planned.