Extracted tooth roots used for lateral alveolar ridge augmentation: a proof‐of‐concept study

Objectives To assess the efficacy of tooth roots used as autografts for lateral ridge augmentation and two‐stage early osseointegration of titanium implants. Material & Methods The maxillary premolars were randomly assigned to either endodontic therapy ( PM ‐ E ) or were left untreated ( PM ‐ C ). Retromolar cortical autogenous bone ( AB ) blocks served as controls. PM ‐ E / PM ‐ C and AB were used for ridge augmentation at chronic‐type defects in both lower quadrants ( n  = 8 foxhounds). At 12 weeks, titanium implants were inserted and left to heal for another 3 weeks. Histological analyses considered crestal ridge width ( CW ); augmented area ( AA ) and bone‐to‐implant contact ( BIC ). Results Both PM and AB grafts (exposures: AB  = 3; PM ‐C = 4; PM ‐E = 7) were gradually involved in the bone remodelling process and associated with a replacement resorption. Median CW ( PM ‐C: 2.70 versus AB : 3.30 mm; PM ‐E: 2.96 versus AB : 3.35 mm), AA ( PM ‐C: 7.55 versus AB : 8.56 mm 2 ; PM ‐E: 11.20 versus AB : 6.60 mm 2 ) and BIC ( PM ‐C: 36.96 mm versus AB : 64.10%; PM ‐E: 50.79 versus AB : 32.53%) values were comparable in both PM and AB groups ( p  > 0.05, respectively). Conclusions Extracted tooth roots revealed a structural and biological potential to serve as an alternative autograft to autogenous bone. A higher exposure rate may be expected when using endodontically treated teeth.