Efficacy of allogenic block graft for alveolar ridge augmentation for implant placement: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Aim Augmentation procedures are done to overcome the atrophic ridges to provide an adequate bone volume for implant placement. Various grafting materials are used for the same. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of allogenic block graft for alveolar ridge augmentation of the atrophic partial and/or complete edentulous jaw for implant placement.

Material and Methods Articles related to use of allogenic block graft for ridge augmentation and placement of implants were included. Risk of graft failure and implant failure was estimated at 95% confidence interval. 

Results Initial literature search resulted in 1212 papers. Finally, 19 articles were included. Forest plot for the event graft failure, Cochran’s Q was 17.978 and was significant (P=0.006). In the forest plot for the event implant failure, Cochran’s Q was 14.098 and was also significant (P<0.001). The studies examined in this review provide evidence of successful alveolar ridge augmentation (98% to 100%) using block allografts (cortico-cancellous or cancellous) with high short-term (<5 years) implant survival rates (95% to 100%). 

Conclusion Allogenic block graft for ridge augmentation has shown similar success with graft and implants placed compared to autogenous block graft & overcomes the drawbacks of autografts. Block allograft failures were mostly found in mandibular posterior. Standard length and diameter of the implants placed at the augmented sites had increased implant survival rate.