The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of cortical bone decortication on the angiogenesis and osteogenesis of augmented ridge by GBR.

Background: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effect of cortical bone perforation on angiogenesis and osteogenesis of augmented ridge by guided bone regeneration.

Methods: Fourteen patients (mean age: 52) who were in need of dental implants at areas with osseous defects in the mandible were selected. In the test group (n=7), alveolar cortical bone at the area of regeneration was perforated using a #2 high speed round bur. No decortication of cortical bone was performed in the control group (n=7). Subsequently, defects were augmented by guided bone regeneration using resorbable membrane and bovine bone. After a healing period of 7 months, implant sites were created and trephine cores harvested for histological and histomorphometric analysis of the grafted areas.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Inclusion criteria were presence of atrophic mandibular ridges with bucco-lingual width ranging between 2-5 mm, as measured on serial sections of a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Exclusion criteria included patients with diabetes, osteoporosis or other metabolic disorders, smokers, pregnant patients and patients who had any systemic or local factors that would inhibit normal wound healing process.

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