RESUMEN
Background: This study was undertaken to consider the successful use of biodegradable osteosynthetic graft material polylactic- polyglycolic acid sponge as biodegradable root replicas which is placed as immediate implants in extraction socket to preserve the dimensions of alveolar process. Methods:A split mouth study was conducted on 20 patients who were selecte for orthodontic extraction of 1st and 2nd premolar teeth in the outpatient department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peoples College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Bhopal from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2010. One socket in each patient was randomly selected as test site (T) in which polylactic-polyglycolic acid sponge (Alvelac®) was inserted and the contralateral socket was taken as control site (C), which was allowed to heal naturally. Results: The test and control sites were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively. Measurements recorded with regards to clinical (bucco-palatal width and height of the alveolus) and radiologically (mesio-buccal, mid buccal, disto-buccal). Clinical and radiological measurements shows there is a statistically significant decrease in bucco-palatal width and height of the alveolus on the control site as compared to that of the test site. Analysis of CT SCAN shows greater bone density on test site. Conclusion: The use of PLGA scaffolds (Alvelac®) significantly reduces the bone resorption both in height and width of the extracted socket. The quality of bone preserved when PLGA scaffolds is used, is of good quality to retain implants.