Combination of bone graft and resorbable membrane for alveolar ridge preservation: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and trial sequential analysis

Introduction: Alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) techniques aim to reduce resorption after tooth extraction. The combination of a graft material covered with a resorbable membrane represents one of the most common strategies performed in the clinical practice. The aim of this systematic review is to analyze evidence regarding potential benefits of ARP procedures performed with allogenic/xenogenic grafts in combination with a resorbable membrane coverage in comparison with spontaneous healing. Methods: Electronic databases were screened independently to select studies suitable for inclusion in this review. Horizontal ridge width reduction (HRWR) and vertical ridge height reduction (VRHR) were investigated as primary outcomes and volume changes (VC) as a secondary outcome. Meta-analysis was performed using the inverse of variance test with a random effect model. Adjustment for Type I and II errors and analysis of the power of evidence was performed with trial sequential analysis (TSA). Results: Seven studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the quantitative synthesis. Meta-analysis revealed that the combination therapy resulted in a lower rate of resorption for both HRWR (−2.19 mm, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −2.67 to −1.71 mm) and VRHR (−1.72 mm, 95% CI: −2.14 to −1.30 mm). For VC no meta-analysis was performed due to insufficient data. Analysis of the power of the evidence performed with TSA showed that the number of both studies and sockets analyzed is sufficient to validate such findings, despite the high rate of heterogeneity. Conclusions: Use of bone graft covered by a resorbable membrane can decrease the rate of alveolar ridge horizontal and vertical resorption after tooth extraction. The power and reliability of the evidence is strong enough to confirm the above-mentioned findings, despite the high rate of heterogeneity of included studies.