Alveolar Ridge Preservation Using a Composite Graft Plug: Radiographic and Clinical Assessment

Alveolar ridge resorption after tooth extraction poses a substantial obstacle for subsequent implant placement, frequently necessitating ridge augmentation treatments. Alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) is intended to reduce these dimensional alterations. Various grafting materials have been used for ARP, with varying success rates in maintaining ridge dimensions. This study compares the clinical and radiological outcomes of a composite graft plug of bioactive resorbable calcium apatite crystals embedded in a collagen matrix to a typical allograft. This randomized controlled clinical experiment comprised 26 people needing a single-rooted tooth extracted. They were divided into two groups: composite plug and allograft. Clinical measures of soft tissue were collected at baseline and four months after extraction using a stent with reference points. At baseline and four months after extraction, radiographic examinations were performed using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).