Radiographic Assessment of Alveolar Ridge Preservation Using Controlled-Release of Erythropoietin: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of EPO on ridge resorption. The patients were divided into 3 groups: study group having sockets filled with chitosan (CS)/carbon methyl cellulose (CMC)/gelatin hydrogels loaded with EPO, positive control group having sockets filled with CS/CMC/gelatin hydrogels alone, and control group with natural healing sockets. The average buccal bone height at follow-up was 7.4±1.9 mm compared with 8.4±2.3 mm at baseline with nonsignificant bone loss ( P =0.25). Regarding the positive control group, buccal bone height was 7.5±3.3 mm at follow-up compared with 9.4±3.8 mm at baseline, with significant bone loss ( P =0.04). Regarding the control group, the average of buccal bone height was 7.7±3 mm at follow-up compared with 9.5±2.8 mm at baseline with significant bone loss ( P =0.04). CS loaded-EPO hydrogel reduced ridge resorption compared with spontaneous healing and CS alone.