Introduction: Augmentation of deficient alveolar ridge is a challenging task in periodontal regenerative therapy. The gold standard therapeutic modality for managing these defects is autogenous bone grafting. But, this approach was hampered by increased patient morbidity. Thus, recent advances in molecular and cellular biology have shed light on the ‘‘bioengineering'' technology which seeks to introduce the incorporation of stem cells in periodontal regeneration.
Objective: The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate, histomorphometrically, the efficacy of guided bone regeneration (GBR) technique using autogenous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) loaded on β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) alloplast as a scaffold, in managing horizontal alveolar ridge defects.
Materials and methods: Sixteen critical-sized horizontal ridge defects were created in four healthy mongrel dogs after bilateral extraction of the mandibular third and fourth premolars. In a split mouth design; the experimental group (right side): comprised eight ridge defects managed using GBR approach (autogenous BMSCs + β-TCP + collagen membrane). The control group (left side): comprised eight ridge defects were left empty to heal spontaneously. Dogs were sacrificed at 1 and 2 months intervals for histomorphometric assessment using Image J software to measure osteoblastic count (OC) from the obtained histological sections.
Results: The experimental group showed a statistically significant increase in OC at both follow up intervals of the study.
Conclusions: GBR technique using autogenous BMSCs/ β-TCP composites was effective in managing horizontal ridge defects. Osteogenic properties and bone regenerative capacity of alloplasts can be greatly enhanced using this technique in periodontal regenerative surgeries.