Healing of Extraction Socket clinical trials

The Impact of a Known Bioactive Agent on the Resolution of Alveolar Socket Preservation

The advent of endosseous implant restoration has driven an increasing need for alveolar bone preservation and/or augmentation strategies. Investigations have explored the physical scaffold effects of a wide variety of bone graft materials with each graft material offering a more or less attractive surface for bone deposition. The seeding of these scaffolds with biologically active material seeks to enhance the "osteoconductive" effect by influencing the temporal or sequential steps which result in the desired end product-new bone. Alveolar socket grafts are a common example of these preservation techniques. They are an accepted procedure to maximize the retention of alveolar bone post extraction. They appear to act as a passive scaffold for clot retention and subsequent bone regeneration. The current pilot research project explores addition of a known Bioactive Agent: Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) to test its impact on healing responses. Histomorphometric assessments will be utilized on microscopic slide material derived from cores trephined as the initial step in the preparation for placement of endosseous dental implants. Outcomes measured will include: Clinical observation of healing response Microscopic measures will be - Measures of residual graft material - New bone formation and new bone contact area with graft - Measures of vascular content - Osteoclast count - Qualitative measures of other marrow components (Cells and relative fiber/ fat content, liner cell characteristics.)