Four Questions Every Dentist Should Ask When Evaluating Dental Bone Graft Materials
With so many graft products on the market, selecting the right one can feel overwhelming. The key is knowing which criteria truly matter.
During his 30-years in practice, Dr. Charles Schlesinger evaluated a wide range of graft materials and developed a systematic approach to assessment. For the last 13 years of his practice, he relied on OsteoGen. He applied the same four core questions to every material he considered, regardless of marketing claims or product appearance.
His evaluation framework, which is based on handling, turnover time, bone quality, and economic value, provides a practical guide for distinguishing materials that truly work from those that underperform in practice.
Evaluation Criterion #1: Handling and Placement Control
The first aspect of a composite graft is the excellent handling characteristics when compared to particulate style grafts. Unlike particulates, the combination of mineralized crystals and collagen prevents migration of the graft during and after placement. This excellent handling simplifies placement and keeps workflow efficient.
The practical test: Can you place the material with confidence and know it will stay where you put it throughout healing?
Evaluation Criterion #2: Turnover Time (Resorption Timeline)
How quickly does the material break down, and does resorption happen at a pace that allows bone formation?
This is where many practitioners have been disappointed. Materials that resorb too quickly leave insufficient time for bone formation. When the graft is gone before bone has had time to integrate, soft tissue fills the space instead, undermining the entire purpose of grafting.
What to look for:
- Straightforward radiographic evidence of bone regeneration can be ascertained, showing that the graft has been replaced by vital bone, not a mix of soft tissue and bone.
- The practical test: Will the material disappear before bone can form, or will it support a reasonable healing timeline?
Evaluation Criterion #3: Bone Quality and Integration
The ultimate measure: what quality of bone does the material produce? You want a product that influences biology by providing an atmosphere that is conducive to new bone growth. Poor bone quality limits your treatment options at re-entry. Quality bone provides a stronger foundation for implants and restorations.
What to evaluate:
- Does the material produce vital bone or residual graft particles?
- Does it support organized, mineralized bone formation?
The practical test: At re-entry, will you have the bone quality you need for definitive treatment?
Evaluation Criterion #4: Economic Value
The economics of your graft material matter to patients and your practice. Lower initial cost for socket preservation helps patients accept treatment. Once they experience positive healing, they're more likely to commit to implant or restorative care.
What to consider:
- Is the material cost-effective for routine cases?
- Does it eliminate the need for additional items like separate membranes?
- Will ease of use reduce your chair time per case?
The practical test: Does the material help you offer quality care at a price patients can accept?
Why the Plug Format Works
When you evaluate these four criteria together, the plug format for socket preservation and alveolar ridge preservation stands out.
The plug maintains its form during placement and remains stable during healing. It supports bone formation within a clinically useful timeframe while producing quality bone.
An often-overlooked advantage: many practitioners assume ridge preservation requires placing a separate membrane after the graft. The plug often eliminates this need in routine cases, simplifying your protocol and reducing overall cost.
Bringing It All Together
Choose materials that:
✓ Stay put and perform predictably
✓ Support bone formation within a reasonable timeframe
✓ Produce quality bone you can rely on
✓ Simplify your workflow and remain economically accessible
For many socket preservation and ridge preservation cases, the plug delivers on every one of these criteria—setting the stage for lasting success.
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