Supracrestal bone regeneration: A pilot study

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of regenerating bone in patients with advanced horizontal bone loss. Demineralized freeze-d ried bone allografts (DFDBA) in particle, strut and laminar forms were used in combination with guided tissue regeneration. The cortical struts and st rips were processed from long bones and were supplied in different widths a nd lengths. The strips were prepared in various thicknesses ranging from 10 0 to 500 mu m; the struts ranged from I to 3 mm thick. These 2 materials pr ovided structural support for the retention of DFDBA particles supracrestal ly, and they supported the gingival flap as a space maintainer, preventing the collapse of the tissue onto the roofs and existing bone. The results in dicated successful supracrestal regeneration of horizontal defects when com bining existing techniques and materials. The mean attachment gain for the 7 patients studied ranged from 2.6 to 3.0 mm.