Histomorphometric Evaluation of Ridge Preservation With and Without Connective Tissue Graft Over Buccal Plate Using Different Types of Bone Substitute: An Animal Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this investigation was to assess the efficacy of using subepithelial connective tissue graft (CTG) over the buccal plate in conjunction with 2 different bone graft materials in fresh extraction sites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five mongrel dogs were used. Bilateral third (P3) mandibular premolars were extracted atraumatically. Animals were randomly divided in the 4 experimental groups: no CT (NCT) + anorganic bovine bone (ABB), NCT + biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP), CT + ABB, and CT + BCP. This study evaluated tissue healing at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after socket preservation, using histologic and histomorphometric analyses. RESULTS: The main finding showed that all groups presented similar results with minor differences regardless of the use of CTG and type of bone substitute. A greater amount of residual graft particles was found when ABB was used. No differences in the histologic and histomorphometric analysis were found when comparing the use of CTG with NCTG for ridge preservation procedure. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this animal study, the use of CTG to overbuild the buccal plate at time of tooth extraction did not affect the quality of bone regeneration.