Guided Bone Regeneration Using Nanocrystalline Calcium Sulfate Bone Graft in an Extraction Socket: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: The use of bone grafts to replace the lost bone in extraction sockets is commonplace today. This helps to maintain the height and width of the bone for eventual placement of dental implants.Case Presentation: A 41‐year‐old female patient presented to a private clinic with a hopeless tooth #31. Atraumatic extraction was performed. The socket was cleaned. Infected, inflamed tissue, as well as remnants of periodontal ligament, were removed. The site was thoroughly irrigated and decorticated. Particles of nanocrystalline calcium sulfate (nCS) were mixed with saline to form a putty. nCS putty was then lightly condensed in the extraction socket with a plastic instrument and a plugger. The site was closed with a barrier membrane. Radiographs were taken before and after the surgery. The patient was followed regularly. Four months after grafting the socket, two dental implants were placed in the healed socket. A small core of the bone from the grafted socket was obtained before implant placement and was analyzed histologically and histomorphometrically. Socket healing was uneventful. Histologic analysis demonstrated robust bone regeneration in the socket, and histomorphometric analysis showed 52% bone and 48% soft tissue. One hundred percent of the bone was vital. Implants were restored 4 months after placement.Conclusion: This case demonstrates the effective use of nCS for guided bone regeneration in a molar extraction socket.