The present manuscript reports the histological outcomes of a prospective single arm study evaluating the safety and clinical performance of CCXBB blocks when used as replacement bone grafts for lateral bone augmentation prior to staged implant placement. The results of the clinical and radiographic outcomes have been reported in a previous publication [21]. For correlation of the histological with the clinical outcome, respective data of the previous publication have been inserted.

Adults (≥18 years of age) were screened on the bases of having single or multiple teeth absences and a severe horizontal collapse of the alveolar ridge in need of one or more implants for implant supported fixed prosthetic rehabilitation.

Patients were selected on the bases of fulfillment of the following inclusion and exclusion criteria:

Written informed consent

Insufficient bone ridge width (<4 mm) for implant placement measured on a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)

Sufficient bone height for implant placement

Healthy oral mucosa and ≥3 mm of attached keratinized mucosa

Patients were excluded if they had any of these conditions:

General contraindications for dental and/or surgical treatments

Inflammatory and autoimmune disease of the oral cavity

Allergy to collagen

Diabetes

History of myeloma, respiratory tract cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer or kidney cancer requiring chemotherapy or radiotherapy within the past 5 years

Concurrent or previous radiotherapy of head area

Concurrent or previous immunosuppressant, bisphosphonate, or high-dose corticosteroid therapy

Smokers

Pregnant or lactating women

Women of child bearing age, who are not using a highly effective method of birth control

Participation in an investigational device, drug, or biologics study within the last 24 weeks prior to the study start

Before final inclusion, patients received meticulous verbal and written descriptions of the interventions and conditions and were requested to sign an informed consent form (directive 95/46/EC on data protection, in accordance with current legal provisions by the European Community).