Lipogems® Shows Promise for Rebuilding Oral Bone
R. Benzi, G. Marfia, M. Boseglab, G. Beltrami, A.S. Magri, S. Versari, C. Tremolada · CellR4 · 2015
Patient's own fat tissue combined with bone graft heals jaw defect
This case report describes a 45-year-old woman with a challenging dental situation. She had a localized bone defect in her lower jaw caused by a vertical root fracture. Making her case more complex, she also had Type 1 diabetes. This condition can slow healing and increase infection risk after surgery. Her doctors chose Lipogems® because it offered a minimally invasive option. They hoped it might also lower the chance of complications for this higher-risk patient.
Micro-fragmented fat mixed with bone scaffold for grafting
The surgical team harvested a small amount of fat from the patient's lower back area. They processed it using the Lipogems® system, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes. This created micro-fragmented adipose tissue (specially processed fat from your own body) containing natural healing cells. The doctors then mixed this processed fat with Gen-Os, a bone graft material made from swine bone. This combination was designed to provide both a structural scaffold and regenerative cells to rebuild the missing bone.
Soft tissue healed quickly without swelling or infection
Seven days after surgery, the doctors noted excellent soft tissue healing. There was no swelling or signs of infection. By day 15, when stitches were removed, the surrounding tissue showed perfect health. The patient reported only modest discomfort at the fat harvesting site on her lower back. She experienced no problems at the grafted area in her mouth. For a patient with diabetes, this smooth healing was particularly encouraging.
Bone density measurements showed steady improvement
The medical team tracked bone healing using CT scans and a measurement called the Hounsfield scale. This scale rates bone density, with higher numbers meaning stronger bone. At two months after surgery, the grafted area measured 850 on this scale. By three months, it had improved to 980. These results indicated the bone was rebuilding steadily and becoming denser over time.
Dental implant placed successfully in regenerated bone
Three months after the initial grafting procedure, surgeons placed a dental implant into the newly formed bone. They used an implant measuring 2.6 millimeters in diameter. The implant was secured at 35 Ncm of torque, indicating good bone quality. A temporary prosthesis was placed immediately. CT scans performed three months after implant placement showed complete bone regrowth around the implant.
Tissue samples confirm healthy new bone formation
Doctors took small tissue samples from the regenerated area for laboratory analysis. These samples showed homogeneous (evenly distributed) bone formation and intensive osteointegration (the process where bone bonds firmly to an implant). The combination of Lipogems® and the bone graft material appeared to support healthy, integrated bone development. This histological evidence complemented the clinical and radiological findings.
What this means for patients considering treatment
This case report suggests Lipogems® may improve healing, bone integration, and implant stability when combined with bone grafting materials. The results were achieved in a patient with diabetes, a condition that typically complicates dental surgeries. However, this is a single case study. The authors emphasize that larger studies are needed to confirm these findings. If you have oral bone atrophy, discuss with your doctor whether this approach might suit your specific situation and medical history.
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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
Among mesenchymal stem cell sources, adipose tissue represents an ideal source due to easy access and simple isolation procedures. This case report demonstrates a novel application of Lipogems®, an innovative technique to obtain microfragmented fat tissue transfer containing intact stromal vascular niche and mesenchymal stem cells with high regenerative capacity, in oral surgery. A 45-year-old female patient with type I diabetes and localized oral bone atrophy resulting from vertical root fracture at region 4.1 was treated with Lipogems® micro fat grafting combined with swine cortico-cancellous bone mix Gen-Os. The Lipogems® system uses mild mechanical forces to progressively reduce adipose tissue cluster size while eliminating oil and blood residues responsible for inflammation, providing processed microfragmented fat in 15-20 minutes without enzymatic treatment or expansion. The patient was followed for 12 months post-operatively. Results showed excellent tissue healing, absence of inflammation and infection, and significant subjective pain reduction within grafted areas. Postoperative radiographic evaluation and histological analysis demonstrated homogeneous bone defect redefinition and intensive osteointegration. This case suggests Lipogems® may improve healing, osteointegration, and implant stability in newly formed bone. However, larger-scale studies are required to confirm the efficacy of Lipogems® in oral surgery applications.