Evaluation of Erythropoietin on Alveolar Ridge Preservation

regenerative materials would help in decreasing post-extraction resorption in sites indicated for placement of a conventional bridge or prosthetically driven implant. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a growth factor that promotes angiogenesis and bone regeneration by stimulating osteoblastic differentiation and by inhibiting osteoclastic resorption. Post-extraction alveolar ridge resorption creates morphological and volumetric changes. These changes can be considered of clinical value that may threaten the placement of a conventional bridge or an implant-supported crown. Atwood et al. \[1\] in a cephalometric study categorized factors influencing the rate of alveolar ridge resorption into 4 types: anatomic, metabolic, functional, and prosthetic. As stated by Tan et al. \[2\] in a systematic review of alveolar hard and soft tissue dimensional changes in humans post-extraction, they found that alveolar ridge resorption occurs to a greater extent in a horizontal direction than vertical. Therefore, alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) procedures were introduced in an attempt to prevent hard and soft tissue dimensional changes following extraction.