Can one-wall bone defects be augmented with xenogenic bone grafting material alone?

OBJECTIVES: The main aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of xenogenic bovine bone grafting material particle size, addition of harvested autogenic bone as well as the influence of a periosteum on growth of newly formed bone, bone marrow, residual bone grafting material and connective tissue of one-wall defects.

METHODS: Overall 32 augmentation sites were placed on the frontal skull of four minipigs and covered with titanium pin immobilized absorbable porcine membranes. After a 6 month healing period the harvested specimens were analyzed using light- and fluorescence microscopy.

RESULTS: In the augmented areas 47%-57% bone, 14%-34% bone marrow, 10%-20% residual xenogenic bone grafting material and 4.5%-10% connective tissue were found. Admixture of autogenic bone resulted in statistically significantly more newly formed bone, more bone marrow, less residual xenogenic bone grafting material and less connective tissue (P ≤ 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS: While augmenting one-wall defects seems to be possible with xenogenic grafting material and absorbable membranes alone, the addition of autogenic bone seems to benefit the augmentation site.