Evaluation of Efficacy of Autogenous Dentine Grafts in Socket Preservation Post-Exodontia Using Bone Densitometric Analysis in Grafted and Non-Grafted Healing Extraction Sockets Following Bilateral Mandibular Third Molar Extractions: A Prospective, Evaluative Study.

BACKGROUND: When a tooth is lost, a general lack of stimulation of the remaining alveolar bone results in a decrease in trabeculae and subsequently, bone density in the post-extraction alveolus. In recent years, numerous bone augmentation techniques employing a range of bone graft materials have been used to reconstruct the deficient vertical and/or, horizontal alveolar ridge dimensions. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of autogenous dentine grafts in socket preservation post-exodontia. METHODS: This was a split-mouth study design which included 60 subjects, while the bone density was assessed in the test (grafted) and controlled (non-grafted) sites following bilateral mandibular third molar extractions after placement of dentine grafts. Furthermore, bone density was assessed in the both horizontal and vertical planes, while patients were evaluated pre-operatively and then, immediate post-operatively and at the end of 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. RESULTS: The results obtained in the present study indicated statistically significant differences in terms of the mean bone density values when compared between the test and controlled sites at various levels and at different treatment time points using independent-samples t-test (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The use of autogenous dentine grafts can be considered to be a viable option for socket preservation post-exodontia; however, a careful and meticulous patient selection and appropriate treatment planning appear to be of utmost significance in order to achieve predictable clinical (and surgical) outcomes.