Growing Bone: Strategies for Engineering the Alveolar Process

Abstract: The alveolar process when deficient, ablated or absent is a challenge for reconstructive efforts.  The use of so many different and continuing innovative methods for surgical treatment suggests a lack of consensus for a standardized solution.  Methods described in the literature are often situational having limited applicability. The tissue engineering triad has still not been settled for what is best to do for the alveolar process.  Various methods and treatments will be reviewed and described as it relates to the basic principles of osteo-conduction, osteo-induction, osteogenesis and bio-mechanical stimulation for long term function of regenerated bone.

Learning Objectives:
1). Understand host factors that influence bone graft incorporation.
2). Recognize osteo-conductive scaffold importance particularly when vertical alveolar bone grafting is required.
3). Describe the use of BMP-2 to enhance bone inductive response as well as increase angiogenic activity.