Fat Tissue Treatment Shows Promise for Oral Bone Healing
R. Benzi, G. Marfia, M. Boseglab, G. Beltrami, A.S. Magri, S. Versari, C. Tremolada · CellR4 · 2015
Patient with diabetes sees complete bone regrowth in jaw
A 45-year-old woman with Type 1 diabetes faced a challenging situation. She had a bone defect in her lower jaw caused by a fractured tooth root. Her diabetes made healing more difficult and increased her risk of complications. Doctors chose to treat her with Lipogems®—a technique that uses the patient's own processed fat tissue—combined with a bone scaffold material. This approach was selected because it is minimally invasive and may lower complication risks for patients with health conditions like diabetes.
Processed fat mixed with bone material fills the defect
The treatment involved two main components working together. First, doctors harvested a small amount of fat from the patient's lower back area using local anesthesia. This fat was then processed using the Lipogems® system, which gently breaks down the fat into tiny clusters while preserving the regenerative cells inside. The entire processing takes only 15 to 20 minutes.
The micro-fragmented fat was then mixed with Gen-Os, a bone substitute material made from pig bone. This combination was placed into the jaw defect through a small tunnel created in the gum tissue. The area was closed with stitches, and the patient went home with a short course of antibiotics and pain medication.
Soft tissue healed quickly with no swelling or infection
Within just seven days after surgery, the patient showed excellent soft tissue healing. There was no swelling or signs of infection—outcomes that can be difficult to achieve in patients with diabetes. By day 15, when the stitches were removed, the surrounding tissue looked healthy and well-nourished. The patient reported only mild discomfort at the fat harvesting site on her lower back, with no problems in her jaw.
Bone density measurements showed steady improvement
Doctors tracked the patient's bone healing using CT scans and a measurement called the Hounsfield scale, which rates bone density. At two months after surgery, the bone density measured 850 on this scale. By three months, it had increased to 980—showing that new bone was forming and becoming stronger over time. These measurements indicated the treatment was working well.
Dental implant placed successfully at three months
Three months after the initial bone grafting procedure, the regenerated bone was strong enough to support a dental implant. Doctors placed a small titanium implant (2.6 millimeters wide) into the newly formed bone. The implant was secured with good stability, and a temporary tooth was attached the same day. A CT scan performed three months after the implant showed complete bone regrowth around it.
One-year follow-up confirms lasting results
The patient was monitored at one, two, three, six, and twelve months after treatment. Throughout this period, doctors observed early and intensive bone integration—meaning the new bone and implant were fusing together successfully. The results suggest that combining Lipogems® with bone scaffold material may speed up healing and improve outcomes for dental bone grafting procedures.
What this means for patients considering treatment
This case report offers encouraging early evidence that Lipogems® may help with oral bone regeneration, particularly for patients who face higher risks of complications. The treatment uses your own fat tissue, which eliminates concerns about rejection or disease transmission from donor materials. The procedure is minimally invasive and can be performed under local anesthesia.
However, it is important to understand that this study describes only one patient's experience. While the results are promising, larger studies with more patients are needed to confirm how well this approach works across different situations. If you have oral bone defects and are interested in regenerative treatment options, discuss this research with your oral surgeon or dental specialist to determine whether it might be appropriate for your specific condition.
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Source: Benzi et al., CellR4, 2015.
Original Publication
Microfractured Lipoaspirate May Help Oral Bone and Soft Tissue Regeneration: a Case Report
R. Benzi, G. Marfia, M. Boseglab, G. Beltrami, A.S. Magri, S. Versari, C. Tremolada · CellR4 · 2015
Background: Among most of the mesenchymal stem cells sources, adipose tissue represents an ideal source because of the easy access and the simple isolation procedures. We developed an innovative technique (Lipogems®) to obtain microfragmented fat tissue transfer. This adipose tissue houses intact stromal vascular niche and mesenchymal stem cells with high regenerative capacity. Objectives: Aim of this case report is to show a novel Lipogems® application in a difficult case of oral surgery. Materials and Methods: We treated a difficult patient with localized oral bone atrophy with Lipogems® micro fat grafting technique in combination with swine cortico-cancellous bone mix Gen-Os. The patient was followed-up for 12 months. Results: As in other surgical applications, we observed an excellent tissue healing and absence of inflammation and infection, and a significant subjective pain reduction within the grafted areas. The postoperative radiographic evaluation and the histological slides showed homogeneous redefinition of bone defects, and intensive osteointegration. Conclusion: This case report suggests that Lipogems® may improve the healing, osteointegration and stability of the implants in newly formed bone. More studies are required to confirm the efficacy of Lipogems® in oral surgery on larger scale.