Combination of autogenous dentin graft and allograft for horizontal ridge augmentation: A case report.

BACKGROUND

Autogenous particulate dentin has emerged as one of the promising biocompatible alternatives to traditional bone graft materials in alveolar ridge augmentation. Although its clinical success is documented, comprehensive studies combining histological and radiographic evaluations remain limited. This case report addresses this gap by detailing a novel approach using autogenous particulate dentin combined with cancellous allograft and a long-lasting absorbable barrier membrane (lasso-guided bone regeneration technique) for horizontal ridge augmentation.

METHODS AND

RESULTS

A 49-year-old female presented with insufficient alveolar ridge width (Seibert Class I) at edentulous sites #12 and #14, necessitating bone augmentation before implant placement. The procedure involved a layered approach: Cancellous allograft (internal layer, faster remodeling) followed by autogenous particulate dentin (outer layer, slower remodeling). A bovine pericardium membrane was used to isolate the graft site and promote healing. Six months post-surgery, cone-beam computed tomography scans demonstrated significant alveolar ridge width gains of 4.64 mm at #12 and 4.21 mm at #14. Implants were successfully placed, and a bone core harvested at the 4-month mark confirmed the slow remodeling rate of the dentin particles compared to the allograft. One year post-restoration, the implants remain functional.

CONCLUSION

This case report highlights the efficacy of the layered approach using autogenous particulate dentin, particularly for space maintenance. The slower remodeling rate of dentin suggests its suitability as an outer layer, enhancing long-term stability. This innovative technique and material selection may represent a significant advancement in alveolar ridge augmentation procedures. Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings and determine optimal applications in the long term.

KEY POINTS: The case demonstrates that a biologically driven layered grafting approach-placing cancellous allograft internally for faster remodeling and autogenous particulate dentin externally for slower turnover and superior space maintenance-is an option to perform horizontal ridge augmentation by mimicking natural bone architecture. Histologic findings highlight that dentin particles remodel very slowly yet remain well integrated within the grafted site without complications, contributing to stability while allowing substantial formation of vital bone. This confirms that autogenous dentin serves as a reliable, long-lasting scaffold that supports new bone formation. However, long-term evaluation may still be necessary. The use of a long-lasting absorbable pericardium membrane stabilized with the lasso GBR technique ensures membrane security, space preservation, and tension-free primary closure-factors that collectively promote predictable healing and successful guided bone regeneration consistent with biology.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: This case report presents a new approach for rebuilding bone in the jaw to allow for dental implant placement. A 49-year-old woman had insufficient bone width in the upper jaw, which made implant treatment impossible without bone augmentation. To solve this, the treatment combined two materials: donated human bone on the inside, which remodels quickly, and the patient's own tooth material, ground into small particles, on the outside, which remodels more slowly and helps maintain space. A protective membrane was used to stabilize the graft and promote healing. After 6 months, 3D scans showed a significant increase in bone width, allowing implants to be placed successfully. A small bone sample confirmed the slow remodeling of the tooth particles compared with the donated bone. One year after the final restoration, the implants remained functional and stable. This technique suggests that using a patient's own tooth material, combined with other grafting materials, may provide a safe and effective alternative for jawbone reconstruction. It may also reduce the need for animal-derived products while improving long-term stability for implant treatments.