Autologous Tooth Granulometry and Specific Surface Area with Three Grinding Methods: An In Vitro Study

Abstract

A postextraction socket becomes a clinical challenge due to the fact that a series of changes associated with bone remodelling and resorption of the socket that occur after extraction, which limits the aesthetic and functional prognosis of implant-supported rehabilitations. It has been studied that the use of the autologous tooth-derived graft (ATDG) has regenerative properties and could therefore be useful for solving this type of problem. There is no consensus in the scientific literature on a standardized protocol for the use of the autologous tooth. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the most relevant parameters to achieve the best properties of ground ATDG using three methods, namely Gouge forceps, electric grinder, and manual, that made up the study group (SG) and compared with the control group (CG) consisting of Bio-Oss®. The sample obtained by the electric grinder had the highest value of specific surface area (2.4025 ± 0.0218 m2/g), while the particle size as average diameter (751.9 µm) was the lowest and most homogeneous of the three groups. Therefore, the electric grinder allowed for obtaining ATDG with more regenerative properties due to its specific surface-area value and particle size in accordance with the xenograft with the greatest bibliographical support (Bio-Oss®). The higher specific surface increases the reaction with the physiological media, producing faster biological mechanisms.