Alveolar ridge bone

Periodontal disease is characterized by a sequence of chronic oral inflammation and excessive alveolar bone resorption (i.e., receding alveolar bone) that results in root surface exposure of teeth, increased sensitivity, eventual detachment of the periodontal ligament, and subsequent tooth loss. Alveolar ridge bone exhibits intrinsic porosity, a structural fragility, and a proximity to vasculature that in effect virtually ensures it has the potential to be a vulnerable site in times of rapid bone resorption, much like the trabecular-rich regions in the hip and spine. Subsequent retention of the quantity and quality of bone in edentulous jaws also becomes critically important in terms of being able to provide surface support for dental implants and dentures that are desirable for both functional and cosmetic purposes (Bodic et al., 2005) (Figure 6.4). 

Boix D, Weiss P, Gauthier O, Guicheux J, Bouler JM, Pilet P, et al. Injectable bone substitute to preserve alveolar ridge resorption after tooth extraction a study in dog. J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2006 Nov 17(11) 1145-52. 

Citardi, M. J. Friedman C. D. Nonvascularized autogenous bone grafts in the treatment of the resorbed maxillary anterior alveolar ridge Rationale and approach. Implant Dent. 1998,7,169-176. 

Alumina and zirconia ceramics are also being used for alveolar ridge reconstruction (20), maxillofacial reconstruction, as ossicular bone substitutes (21), and in ophthalmology (22), knee prosthesis (8), bone screws as well as other applications as dental biomaterials, such as dental crown core, post, bracket and inlay (23,24). 

Orthopaedic loadbearing applications Dental implants Coating for chemical bonding Alveolar ridge augmentations Temporary bone space fillers... 

Hunt DR, Joanovic SA, Wikesjo UME, Wozney JM, Bernard DW. Hyaluronan supports recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 induced bone reconstraction of advanced alveolar ridge defects in dogs. A pilot study. J Periontol. 2001 72 651-7. 

Strietzel, F.P., Reichart, P.A., Graf, H.L (2007) Lateral alveolar ridge augmentation using a synthetic nano-crystalline hydroxyapatite bone substitution material (Ostim ). Preliminary clinical and histological results. Clinical Oral Implants Research,... 

Wikesjo, U.M.E., Qahash, M., Polimeni, G., Susin, C., Shanaman, R.H., Rohrer, M.D., Wozney, J.M., Hall, J., 2008. Alveolar ridge augmentation using implants coated with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 histologic observations. Journal of of Clinical Peri-odontology 35, 1001-1010. 

Kribbs, P. J., Smith, D. E. and Chesnut, C. H., III. 1983. Oral findings in osteoporosis. Part II Relationship between residual ridge and alveolar bone resorption and generalized skeletal ostopenia. J. Prosthet. Dent. 5, 719-724. 

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