Partially demineralized allogeneic cancellous bone plug versus deproteinized bovine bone mineral for guided bone regeneration: a pilot randomized controlled clinical trial

Clin Oral Investig. 2026 May 13;30(6):228. doi: 10.1007/s00784-026-06914-8.

Abstract

Objectives: To compare a partially demineralized allogeneic cancellous bone plug (ACBP) with deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) for guided bone regeneration (GBR), focusing on CBCT-based dimensional outcomes and histomorphometric tissue composition at implant placement.

Materials and methods: In this prospective randomized controlled clinical trial, 25 adults requiring GBR for two common indications-posterior maxillary sinus floor elevation or mandibular posterior extraction socket preservation-were randomized to ACBP (n = 12) or DBBM (n = 13), with collagen membrane coverage in both groups. Radiographic endpoints were indication-specific and were reported separately for sinus and socket sites. CBCT was obtained at baseline and 6 months to assess augmented height (sinus sites) and ridge dimensions at standardized levels (socket sites). At 6 months (implant placement), a 3-mm trephine core was harvested for H&E staining and histomorphometric quantification of vital bone (VB, %) and residual graft material (RG, %). Between-group comparisons used independent-samples t tests (two-sided P < 0.05).

Results: All participants completed the 6-month follow-up. VB did not differ significantly between ACBP and DBBM (38.84 ± 8.37% vs. 32.18 ± 11.04%, P = 0.105), whereas RG was significantly lower with ACBP (11.18 ± 5.48% vs. 19.80 ± 8.23%, P = 0.006). CBCT outcomes were comparable between groups, with no significant differences in sinus height gain (7.82 ± 1.52 mm vs. 8.21 ± 4.30 mm, P = 0.852) or socket-related ridge dimensional changes (all P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Within a 6-month healing interval, ACBP showed CBCT-based dimensional outcomes comparable to DBBM and a lower residual graft fraction with a similar vital bone fraction at implant placement, suggesting that the observed difference was more related to graft turnover than to greater bone formation.

Clinical relevance: At routine implant timing (~ 6 months), use of ACBP was associated with a lower residual graft fraction at re-entry while maintaining short-term CBCT-based dimensional stability.

Keywords: Allograft; Cone-beam computed tomography; Deproteinized bovine bone mineral; Guided bone regeneration; Histomorphometry.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alveolar Ridge Augmentation / methods
  • Animals
  • Bone Regeneration*
  • Bone Substitutes* / therapeutic use
  • Cancellous Bone* / transplantation
  • Cattle
  • Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
  • Dental Implantation, Endosseous / methods
  • Female
  • Guided Tissue Regeneration, Periodontal* / methods
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Minerals*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sinus Floor Augmentation* / methods
  • Tooth Socket / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Bone Substitutes
  • Minerals