3D Printed Scaffold Device for Ridge Preservation After Tooth Extraction

Following tooth extraction, the socket heals naturally with bone in 1 to 2 months. This healing process occurs with substantial reduction of the original height and width of the alveolar ridge. In a significantly resorbed ridge, bone augmentation procedures are necessary before dental implant placement. Autogenous bone is the gold standard for this purpose but the harvesting procedure results in additional morbidities and expenses. Ridge preservation techniques have been introduced, using xenografts, allografts or synthetic materials to fill the tooth socket immediately after extraction. While the current materials used have improved ridge dimensions to various extents, their osteoconductivity is suboptimal and unpredictable. They do not reduce vertical resorption of the bony walls and often interfered with the normal healing process. Polycaprolactone - tricalcium phosphate (PCL-TCP) is a bioactive, bioresorbable composite polymer that is non-toxic and tissue-compatible. This study will test the use of a novel 3D printed PCL-TCP device for ridge preservation, leveraging on its 3D shape that fits snugly in the tooth socket, high porosity and bioactivity to promote osteogenesis and reduce resorption. The hypothesis is that the insertion of a PCL-TCP scaffold in extraction sockets allows normal bone healing and better maintenance of ridge dimensions after 6 months compared to extraction sockets without a space filler. This will be a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial in patients who require single tooth extraction and replacement with a dental implant. The study will compare the ridge dimensions and the quality and quantity of bone formed in tooth sockets, using histology and microcomputed tomography, in both groups after 6 months. The PCL-TCP scaffold to be used in this study will be fabricated by a local spin-off company, Osteopore International Pte Ltd. The market potential for this device is tremendous due to a growing demand for tooth replacement fr