Improved bone regeneration through amniotic membrane loaded with buccal fat pad-derived MSCs as an adjuvant in maxillomandibular reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Human amniotic membranes (HAMs), as a biological membrane with healing, osteogenic, and cell therapy potential, has been in the spotlight to enhance the outcomes of treating bone defects. Present study aims to clinically assess the potential of HAM loaded with buccal fat pad-derived stem cells (BFSCs) as an osteogenic coverage for onlay bone grafts to maxillomandibular bone defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine patients with jaw bone defects were enrolled in the present study. The patients were allocated to two study groups: Iliac crest bone graft with HAM coverage (n = 5), and Iliac bone grafts covered with HAM loaded with BFSCs (n = 4). Five months following the grafting and prior to implant placement, cone beam computed tomography was performed for radiomorphometric analysis. RESULTS: The mean increase in bone width was found to be significantly greater in the HAM + BFSCs group (4.42 ± 1.03 mm versus 3.07 ± 0.73 mm, p < 0.05). Further, the changes in vertical dimension were greater in the HAM + BFSCs group (4.66 ± 1.06 mm versus 4.14 ± 1.03 mm, p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Combined use of HAM with mesenchymal stem cells may enhance bone regeneration specifically in the horizontal dimension. Moreover, this methodology reduces the amount of harvested autogenous bone and diminish secondary bone resorption.