Clinical and radiographic evaluation of copolymerized Polylactic/polyglycolic acids as a bone filler in combination with a cellular dermal matrix graft around immediate implants

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate clinically and radiographically the use of a cellular dermal matrix allograft (Alloderm) in combination with PLA/PGA (Fisiograft) around immediate implants.Materials and Methods: Fourteen patients were included in this study, three patients received two implants, total of seventeen implants were placed. Periapical radiographs and orthopantomographs were taken. The selected teeth were extracted atraumatically after the reflection of full thickness flaps. One-piece Zimmer implants were placed immediately into the sockets.Weeks from implantation, radiographic evaluation was made at 6 Fisiograft in powder form was placed in the osseous defects around the implants. The implants were immediately restored with provisional crowns free from occlusion. Patients were clinically evaluated at 3, 6, and 14 months after loading which was done after 6 weeks from implantation. Radiographic evaluation was made at 6 and 14 months from implant placement.Results: showed that immediate implantation was successful in sixteen out of seventeen implants, clinical parameters regarding plaque index, gingival index, there was a slight decrease through the follow-up periods from 3 to 14 months but it was nonsignificant, while there was a significant decrease in the probing depth. Radiographically there was a significant increase in the bone density from 6 to 14 months post loading, while the vertical bone defect was significantly decreased. The fisiograft functioned well as space maker and scaffolding material. The Alloderm performed well as a membrane to be used in association with immediate implants and it has a good potentiality for increasing the width of the keratinized gingiva, which is an important feature for implant esthetics.Conclusion: the combination technique between the bone graft and the membrane proved to be successful to overcome dehiscence and osseous defects around immediate implants.