Histological and clinical evaluation of new bone formation after horizontal ridge augmentation with autogenous tooth-derived bone graft: a case report

This case report describes the clinical, radiographic, and histological outcomes of horizontal ridge augmentation using an autogenous tooth-derived bone graft (demineralized dentin matrix, DDM) with implant placement. A 73-year-old male patient with severe ridge atrophy at the right mandibular first molar site underwent implant placement, and the exposed buccal threads were simultaneously covered with 0.4 cc of autogenous DDM processed from extracted teeth. Cone-beam computed tomography confirmed progressive radiopacity and favorable bone regeneration. At five months, a second-stage surgery was performed, and hypertrophic bone tissue above the implant —an area not in contact with the host bone—was harvested for histological analysis. Microscopy revealed DDM particles embedded in the connective tissue, with new bone directly apposed to their surfaces and active cuboidal osteoblasts aligned along the osteoid. The regenerated bone exhibited features of immature woven bone. These findings suggest that autogenous DDM is a predictable and effective biomaterial for bone regeneration.