Autologous Alveolar Bone-Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells(Aristotle University Of Thessaloniki)

Systemically healthy volunteers with no active periodontal disease are recruited from referrals to the Dept. of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Biology of Implants, Aristotle Univ of Thessaloniki for implant therapy. After signing a consent form, participants will be randomized into two treatment groups. Group-A (NA=10) will receive crestal placement of implants following a two-stage protocol in combination with a biocomplex comprising autologous alveolar bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells free of animal derived reagents, produced in clean room facilities and seeded into collagen scaffolds enriched with autologous fibrin glue. In Group-B (NB=10) implants are placed on the alveolar crest following a two-stage protocol and the manufacturer's guidelines. Intra-surgical clinical and radiographic assessments are performed at the time of implant placement (T0) and at the two-stage surgery (T1). Changes in mucosa thickness, width of keratinized tissues, marginal bone and bone thickness at the surgical site will be determined at T0-T1. Groups will be further divided into two subgroups based on mucosal thickness of the surgical site at T0 [thin mucosa (≤2.5mm) for Groups-AI/-BI; thick mucosa (>2.5mm) for Groups-AII/-BII]. A linear mixed model for repeated measures will be used for data analyses to determine changes in the dimensions of the peri-implant soft and hard tissues, around two stage-implants placed either conventionally, or in combination with the biocomplex.