8 March 2015; 7(1) © ARIESDUE ABSTRACT Aim The objective of this study was to assess the capacity of beta- tricalcium phosphate to facilitate bone formation in the socket and prevent post-extraction alveolar resorption. Materials and methods After premolar extraction in 16 patients, the sockets were flled with beta-tricalcium phosphate. Six months later, during the implant placement surgery, a trephine was used to harvest the bone samples which were processed for histological and histomorphometrical analyses. Data were gathered on patient, clinical, histological and histomorphometric variables at the extraction and implant placement sessions, using data collection forms and pathological reports. Results Clinical outcomes were satisfactory, the biomaterial was radio-opaque on X-ray. Histological study showed: partial flling with alveolar bone of appropriate maturation and mineralization for the healing time, osteoblastic activity and bone lacunae containing osteocytes. The biomaterial was not completely resorbed at six months. Conclusion Beta-tricalcium phosphate is a material capable of achieving preservation of the alveolar bone when it is positioned in the immediate post-extraction socket followed by suture; it also helps the formation of new bone in the socket. Further studies are needed comparing this technique with other available biomaterials, with growth factors and with sites where no alveolar preservation techniques are performed. Post-extraction application of beta-tricalcium phosphate in alveolar socket TO CITE THIS ARTICLE Muñoz-Corcuera M, Bascones-Martínez A, Ripollés-de Ramón J. Post-extraction application of beta tricalcium phosphate in alveolar socket. J Osseointegr 2015;7(1):8-14. M. MUñOZ-CORCUERA, A. BASCONES-MARTíNEZ 1 , J. RIPOLLéS-DE RAMóN INTRODUCTION In normal conditions, healthy bone is under continuous remodelling and has an effective self-repair capacity. Bone remodelling maintains a continuous balance of bone formation and resorption in a dynamic process that adapts the bone to local forces (1). Above a critical defect size, however, bone cannot be repaired by its own osteogenic activity, and some type of bone grafts must be used (2). Jaw bone defects can be caused by surgical resection, traumatic loss, ossification impairment (in the elderly), periodontal and peri-implant diseases and congenital disorders. These defects may complicate the surgical phase of implant supported rehabilitation treatment due to insufficient bone volume for an adequate implantation (3, 4). Jaw bone loss is frequently caused by post-extraction alveolar resorption, a physiological phenomenon which leads to a reduction of the original height and width of the alveolar ridge to a degree that varies among localizations and patients (5). Alveolar ridge preservation techniques have been developed to address the ensuing clinical problem, especially in aesthetic areas (5). They are conducted during or after extraction and are designed to minimize external ridge resorption and maximize bone formation inside the socket (5). Measures include autologous bone grafts, allografts, bone of animal origin (xenografts) and synthetic bone substitutes (alloplastic grafts), as well as the application of growth factors and gene therapies (3, 4, 6). Beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) is widely used as a biocompatible, resorbable and osteoconductive ceramic substitute to repair bone defects. Thanks to its physicochemical characteristics, it has been successfully used to fill spaces in multiple settings, including biology, veterinary medicine, human medicine and dentistry (7- 12). It has also been proposed as a vehicle for growth factors that stimulate bone formation (12, 13). Various authors have reported on its capacity as a biomaterial for bone regeneration in animals and humans (4, 14-21). The study is aimed at evaluating granular beta-TCP in post-extraction sockets in order to measure its bone regenerative potential and its capacity to preserve the original height and width of the alveolar bone for subsequent implant placement. Specifically, the study objectives were the following. 1. To analyze the clinical and radiological results Department of Oral Medicine and Surgery, School of Dentistry, Madrid Complutense University, Madrid, Spain 1 Professor at Dental School KEYWORDS Bone graft; Calcium phosphate; Dental implant; Post-extraction alveolar socket.