A study in the current issue of the Journal of Oral Implantology has identified that a barrier membrane, such as porcine collagen, can keep the gingivae from growing into the space following a socket graft.1

The hole left by an extracted tooth is more than just a place where food can get caught and the tongue can 'worry' the gap. It is also a place where disease can weaken bone. A barrier placed over the graft may help the bone regrow even faster.

Socket grafting is one of the most frequently performed procedures in oral surgery. After a tooth is extracted, the socket in the jawbone where the tooth had been anchored can rapidly shrink and make it impossible to place a dental implant. To prevent this, the surgeon fills the hole with a bone grafting material that combines with the natural bone to rebuild or preserve the bone's strength.

The results showed a wide range of new bone growth in the treated sockets, from 1.8 to 43%. The new bone formation averaged 11.2% among the study group. At the same time, the barrier of porcine collagen helped to prevent soft tissue from growing into the space. It also helped to cut down the loss of bone volume, making it easier to place large dental implants.

Computerised tomographic scans showed that bone density quickly developed with the combination of socket grafting material and the barrier membrane. This meant that the grafting material was well integrated into the jawbone. All of the treated sites healed well and no bone particles were lost as the sockets healed.

Even though bone regeneration varied, the study author concluded that porcine collagen 'showed potential for promoting new bone growth'.

  • Socket grafting is one of the most frequently performed procedures in oral surgery.

  • The new bone formation averaged 11.2% among the study group.