Abstract:
Objectives: This study aimed to compare the dentin block (D-group) harvested from impacted
wisdom teeth with autogenous ramus bone block (A-group) for horizontal alveolar ridge
augmentation. Materials and methods: Forty two patients with anterior missing teeth and horizontal
ridge defect were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 21 per group) to receive either dentin block
group or autogenous bone block. Six months after the augmentation, dental implants were placed in
all patients, and a core biopsy was performed for histological evaluation in addition to clinical and
radiographic evaluation using cone beam computed tomography. Primary outcome was the mean
overall clinical ridge width gain (CRWG) after 6 months of augmentation. Secondary outcomes were
the overall radiographic ridge width gain (RRWG) after 6 months of augmentation and descriptive
histological analysis with histomorphometric assessment of bone fraction %. Results: All sites healed
uneventfully, and the mean overall CRWG 6 months after augmentation was 3.52 ± 0.56 mm and 2.24
± 0.86 mm in the D and A groups, respectively, with statistically significant difference between them
(P = < 0.001). The overall mean RRWG was 3.61 ± 0.61 mm and 3.41 ± 1.15 mm in D and A groups,respectively, without any statistically significant difference between them (P = 0.062) . The
histomorphometric analysis of the bone area fraction was 42.6% and 41.3% in D and A groups,
respectively, without any statistically significant difference between the two values (P = 0.89,
Student's t-test). Histological evaluation in the D-group revealed new bone formation, viable cells,
and matrix formation on the dentin block periphery, in addition to well-organized woven bone that
suggests dentin block remodeling and supports new bone deposition. Conclusion: The present
clinical study revealed that dentin block may serve as an alternative graft to support horizontal
alveolar ridge augmentation. Dentin blocks showed less resorption than autogenous bone blocks.
