Does the Use of High-Temperature-Processed Xenografts for Ridge Augmentation Result in Ridge Width Stability Over Time?

PURPOSE: Alveolar ridge augmentation is often required before implant placement. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether maxillary and mandibular ridge augmentation with a high-temperature xenograft remains stable over time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective case series was performed of subjects who had undergone maxillary anterior or posterior ridge augmentation with a high-temperature xenograft (HTX). The primary predictor variable was the HTX. The primary outcome variable was the ridge width, measured T0 (before augmentation), T1 (immediately after augmentation), T2 (4 to 6 months after augmentation), and T3 (>4 years after augmentation). The secondary outcome variable was implant success. Analysis of variance and linear regression analysis were used to determine significance. A P value < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 31 patients (age, 52.4 +/- 18 years; 61.3% women) were identified who had undergone ridge width augmentation performed using HTX. Of these, 23 had cone-beam computed tomography scans available 4 to 10 years after augmentation had been performed. At the anterior maxilla, the initial ridge augmentation (T1) was 4.7 +/- 1.3 mm, which had decreased to 3.7 +/- 1.0 mm within 6 months of augmentation (T2) and to 3.3 +/- 1.1 mm after an average of 7 years (T3) of follow-up (P < .05). At the posterior mandible, the initial ridge augmentation was 5.4 +/- 0.9 mm, which had decreased to 4.1 +/- 0.7 mm within 6 months of augmentation and to 3.5 +/- 1.0 mm at an average of 7 years of follow-up. A total of 61 implants had been placed in these 23 patients, 3 (4.9%) of which had failed to integrate. CONCLUSIONS: The use of HTX does result in long-term stability for ridge augmentation.