Alveolar ridge preservation using an open membrane approach for sockets with bone deficiency: A randomized controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Various approaches are used for alveolar ridge preservation (ARP); however, there is no standard method or material. PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of ARP with a dense polytetrafluoroethylene (d‐PTFE) membrane and freeze‐dried irradiated allogenic bone for sockets with bone deficiency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty‐four patients (with sockets exhibiting ≥3 mm hard tissue loss in ≥1 walls) were randomized to undergo natural socket healing (control) or ARP with a d‐PTFE membrane and freeze‐dried irradiated allogenic bone (test group). After 4 months, horizontal and vertical ridge changes were measured using cone beam computed tomography. RESULTS: Ridge width at l mm below the ridge crest demonstrated significantly less change in the test group (median =2.3; Q1 = 0.6; Q3 = 4.3 mm) than in the control group (median =3.9; Q1 =2.6; Q3 = 7.8 mm; P = .021). There was no significant difference between the two groups in horizontal ridge changes at 3 and 5 mm below the crest or vertical changes (P > .05). Requirement for bone augmentation at implant placement was significantly reduced in the test group compared to the control group (P < .001). CONCLUSION: ARP with a d‐PTFE membrane and freeze‐dried irradiated allogenic bone substitute reduced horizontal bone resorption in sockets with bone deficiency.