Biomechanical comparison of a novel engine‐driven ridge spreader and conventional ridge splitting techniques

Abstract

Ridge splitting techniques are used for horizontal ridge augmentation in implant dentistry. Recently, a novel engine-driven ridge splitting technique was introduced. This study compared the mechanical forces produced by conventional and engine-driven ridge splitting techniques in porcine mandibles. In 33 pigs, mandibular premolar areas were selected for the ridge splitting procedures, designed as a randomized split-mouth study. The conventional group underwent a chisel-and-mallet procedure (control group, n=20), and percussive impulse (Newton second, Ns) was measured using a sensor attached to the mallet. In the engine-driven ridge spreader group (test group, n=23), a load cell was used to measure torque values (Newton centimeter, Ncm). Horizontal acceleration generated during procedures (control group, n=10 and test group, n=10) was compared between the groups. After ridge splitting, the alveolar crest width was significantly increased both in the control (1.23±0.45mm) and test (0.98±0.41mm) groups with no significant differences between the groups. The average impulse of the control group was 4.74 ± 1.05Ns. Torque generated by rotation in the test group was 9.07 ± 2.15Ncm. Horizontal acceleration was significantly less in the test group (0.82±1.05g) than the control group (64.07±42.62g) (P<0.001). Narrow edentulous ridges can be expanded by novel engine-driven ridge spreaders. Within the limits of this study, the results suggested that an engine-driven ridge splitting technique may be less traumatic and less invasive than a conventional ridge splitting technique.