Ridge reconstruction in damaged extraction sockets using tunnel β‐tricalcium phosphate blocks: A 6‐month histological study in beagle dogs

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The present study aimed to evaluate the histological outcome of tunnel β-TCP blocks grafting in extraction sockets missing the buccal bone wall, after 6months of healing. Tunnel β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) blocks made of randomly organized tunnel-shaped β-TCP ceramics appeared promising for alveolar ridge preservation in tooth extraction sockets missing the buccal bone, in a previous study in dogs, with a 2-month healing time. In six beagle dogs, the maxillary first premolars were extracted and the buccal bone was surgically removed to create bone defects of 4mm (mesio-distal)×5mm (apico-coronal)×4mm (bucco-palatal). Thus, extraction sockets missing the buccal bone plate were grated with tunnel β-TCP blocks (test) or left empty for spontaneous healing (control). Histology/histomorphometry was performed after 6months of healing. The horizontal bucco-palatal width of the alveolar ridge was significantly greater at test sites than at control sites. The amount of mineralized tissue was greater at test sites (57.8%±11.1%) than at control sites (28.9%±8.5%), while the amount of connective tissue was significantly greater at control sites (41.7%±6.4%) than at test sites (19.6%±9.2%). No significant difference was found between sites in terms of basic multicellular units and bone marrow. Residual β-TCP at test sites was 5.8%±3.2%. Grafting with tunnel β-TCP block significantly limited the resorption of the alveolar ridge at extraction sockets missing the buccal bone compared with sites left to heal spontaneously, even after 6-month follow-up.