Does the Use of High-Temperature–Processed Xenografts for Ridge Augmentation Result in Ridge Width Stability Over Time?

Alveolar ridge augmentation is often required before implant placement. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether maxillary and mandibular ridge augmentation with a high-temperature xenograft remains stable over time.A retrospective case series was performed of subjects who had undergone maxillary anterior or posterior ridge augmentation with a high-temperature xenograft (HTX). The primary predictor variable was the HTX. The primary outcome variable was the ridge width, measured T0 (before augmentation), T1 (immediately after augmentation), T2 (4 to 6 months after augmentation), and T3 (4 years after augmentation). The secondary outcome variable was implant success. Analysis of variance and linear regression analysis were used to determine significance. A P value .05 was considered statistically significant.A total of 31 patients (age, 52.4 ± 18 years; 61.3% women) were identified who had undergone ridge width augmentation performed using HTX. Of these, 23 had cone-beam computed tomography scans available 4 to 10 years after augmentation had been performed. At the anterior maxilla, the initial ridge augmentation (T1) was 4.7 ± 1.3 mm, which had decreased to 3.7 ± 1.0 mm within 6 months of augmentation (T2) and to 3.3 ± 1.1 mm after an average of 7 years (T3) of follow-up (P .05). At the posterior mandible, the initial ridge augmentation was 5.4 ± 0.9 mm, which had decreased to 4.1 ± 0.7 mm within 6 months of augmentation and to 3.5 ± 1.0 mm at an average of 7 years of follow-up. A total of 61 implants had been placed in these 23 patients, 3 (4.9%) of which had failed to integrate.The use of HTX does result in long-term stability for ridge augmentation.