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

ObjectivesThe 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.MethodsOverall 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.ResultsIn 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).ConclusionsWhile 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.