For long-term comfort and restorative longevity, implants require a predictable bone width along with strong socket walls for implant support. Additionally, implant patients often present with varied degrees of bone loss due to extractions and the normal aging process. To ensure successful restorations, many clinicians, including Samar Shaikh, BDS, MS, rely on an expansive line of bone and soft-tissue regeneration solutions from Geistlich.
“I would say that the majority of implant patients would benefit from bone regeneration for optimal implant placement,” explained Dr. Shaikh, who is a periodontist and assistant professor at Tufts University, School of Dental Medicine. “When we’re extracting a tooth and eventually replacing it with an implant, we always add bone to the socket because we want to make sure we have a predictable bone width, which ensures a well-supported foundation in which to place the implant.”
A Total Solution Provider
Nearly 4 decades ago, Geistlich developed a patented process for manufacturing bone material without the organic material that can cause immunological reactions. Today, the company offers a complete portfolio of bone regeneration materials—including bone substitutes, membranes, matrices, and growth factors—for every patient treatment.
“In my experience, I have found that Geistlich has a whole portfolio of materials to support your regenerative needs,” she shared.
Owing to the fact that no two patients are alike, Dr. Shaikh keeps an assortment of Geistlich products at the ready, and chooses her materials on a procedure-to-procedure basis.
Easy to Manipulate
She begins with Bio-Oss Collagen which is a xenograft porcine bone substitute that combines the predictability of Bio-Oss with the addition of 10% collagen. The Bio-Oss Collagen also adheres well to the defect site and is absorbed after a few weeks.
It does not replace the barrier function of a membrane and is indicated for several therapeutic areas, including ridge preservation, minor bone augmentation, and periodontal regeneration.
“Bio-Oss Collagen is great because it is packaged in the form of a block, which allows for ease of handling, and takes the shape of the defect and is easy to manipulate,” she shared. “Because the chemical composition is 90% xenograft and 10% collagen, the collagen is important for cell growth, repair, and promotes regeneration along with the bone minerals.”
Enhanced Stability
While Dr. Shaikh reaches for Bio-Oss Collagen for smaller sockets, she uses Bio-Oss particles for larger augmentations, such as a sinus lift or a ridge augmentation in which she’s trying to gain 8–10 mm of bone.
Available in both small granules of 0.25 to 1 mm and large granules of between 1 and 2 mm, Bio-Oss particles adapt easily to defect sites and surrounding surface contours.
“The large Bio-Oss particles provide enhanced stability and promote angiogenesis,” she explained.
