Efficacy of autogenous tooth roots for a combined vertical and horizontal alveolar ridge augmentation and staged implant placement. A prospective controlled clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess and compare the efficacy and safety of autogenous tooth roots (TRs) and autogenous bone blocks (ABs) for combined vertical and horizontal alveolar ridge augmentation and two-stage implant placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 28 patients in need of implant therapy and vertical ridge augmentation were allocated to parallel groups receiving either healthy autogenous tooth roots (e.g., retained wisdom teeth) (n = 14, n = 15 defects) or cortical autogenous bone blocks harvested from the retromolar area (n = 14, n = 17 defects). After 26 weeks of submerged healing, the clinical reduction in ridge height (RH) deficiency was defined as the primary outcome. RESULTS: Both surgical procedures were associated with a similar mean reduction in RH deficiency values, amounting to 4.48 +/- 2.42 mm (median: 4.25; 95% CI: 3.08-5.88) in the TR group and 4.46 +/- 3.31 mm (median: 3.00; 95% CI: 2.54-6.38) in the AB group (p = .60, Mann-Whitney U-test). In all patients investigated, the reduction in RH deficiency values allowed for an adequate implant placement at the respective sites. The frequency of complications (e.g., soft tissue dehiscences) was low (TR: n = 4; AB: n = 0). CONCLUSIONS: Up to staged-implant placement, both TR and AB grafts appeared to be associated with comparable efficacy and safety for combined vertical and horizontal alveolar ridge augmentation.