These results confirm the possibility of regenerating bone by means of bioabsorbable materials, assuring at the same time the long-term success for implants inserted in regenerated sites.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the combined application of different bioabsorbable materials for healing of residual peri-implant defects after placement of non-submerged implants into fresh extraction sockets. Second and third mandibular premolars were extracted from 10 Beagle dogs, the coronal part of the distal sockets were surgically enlarged and this was followed by immediate placement of specially designed hollow-screw non-submerged dental implants. For each animal, the coronal peri-implant defects were further treated with one of the 4 following procedures: 1) no treatment, control site; 2) grafting with porous hydroxyapatite (HA); 3) collagen membrane tightly secured around the implant and over the defect and 4) grafting with HA covered with a collagen membrane. After 16 weeks of healing, specimens were removed from the mandibule and prepared for a histomorphometric evaluation. The bone-to-implant contact length (BIC) was measured and compared amongst the different treatment modalities. In the defect area, the irregular bone regeneration was similar between all the treatment procedures (P > 0.10). In the sites covered with a collagen membrane alone, the total BIC (47%) was greater than in control sites (28.7%, P < 0.05) or sites grafted with HA (22.2%, P < 0.02). Total BIC in sites treated with the HA-membrane combination (43%) was only significantly different from sites treated with HA (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the use of bioabsorbable materials results in a limited increase of osseointegration when used in conjunction with immediate placement of non-submerged implants, although the principle of the one stage surgical approach can be maintained.