The effect of acemannan in implant placement with simultaneous guided bone regeneration in the aesthetic zone: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Acemannan, a linear polysaccharide produced by Aloe vera, has been shown to have important biological effects promoting wound healing and tissue regeneration. The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to investigate the impact of acemannan in guided bone regeneration (GBR) with simultaneous implant placement. Twenty patients were randomly allocated to a test group (deproteinized bovine bone with particulate acemannan (mean size 32.45 μm)) and a control group (deproteinized bovine bone only). Twenty implants were placed with simultaneous GBR. Radiographic measurements were conducted on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans immediately post-surgery and at 3 and 6 months. Vertical and horizontal dimensions of the buccal bone were measured at the implant platform (0) and at points 2, 4, 6, and 8 mm apically. The dimensional reduction of vertical and horizontal buccal bone was significantly smaller in the test group at 3 months postoperative (P < 0.05) at every position measured (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 mm), but the difference was not statistically significant at 6 months. Acemannan was found to be a safe and predictable biomaterial for GBR, which resulted in enhanced dimensional stability of the regenerated tissue at 3 months. However, these results were not replicated at 6 months. Further studies are required to document the long-term efficacy and potential of acemannan use as a supplement in bone regeneration.