Vertical bone augmentation with simultaneous dental implantation using crestal biomaterial rings: a rabbit animal study.

BACKGROUND Ceramic biomaterial blocks like hydroxyl apatite are too brittle for simple simultaneous vertical augmentation and dental implant placement. Biological scaffolds of xenogenic or allogenic origin are known to be advantageous. PURPOSE The aim of this study was the proof of principle for combined vertical bone augmentation and dental implantation with marginal cuffs made of biological scaffolds with interconnecting porous system and titanium dental implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cylindrical porcine biomaterial rings (processed, mineralized bone matrix) were placed in combination with titanium dental implants in the tibia model using six chinchilla bastard rabbits (n = 12 samples). Histological examination included undecalcified histological examination with toluidine blue staining and fluorescence microscopy. Animals were sacrificed after 30 days. RESULTS The results showed bony healing in the scaffolds with immature bone tissue ingrowth following the trabecular structure, showing lamellar cancellous bone healing. Fluorescence microscope showed analogous results. CONCLUSION The biological scaffold proved a biocompatibility in a xenogenic setting. The vertical bone augmentation with simultaneous implantation was successful and proved the feasibility of the concept.