Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of buccal fat pads (BFP) as a natural barrier to cover nonresorbable devices for vertical ridge augmentation (VRA). A total of 12 consecutive patients with 14 vertical bone defects in need of bone augmentation for implant-prosthetic rehabilitation were treated according to the described protocol. VRA was performed by means of (1) customized titanium meshes, (2) titanium-reinforced PTFE membranes, or (3) resorbable membranes plus titanium plates. After buccal flap release, the BFP was identified, isolated, then mesially and coronally advanced to cover the whole augmented area. BFP was used as a pedicle flap in 11 cases and as free graft in 3 cases. The mean surface of the BFP obtained was 13.5 ± 5.5 cm2. In all 14 augmented sites, uneventful healing was assessed. No patients reported healing complications or facial volumetric changes. The mean VBG was 4.2 ± 1.8 mm. In this limited number of cases, the technique using the BFP as a natural barrier has proven to be efficient in bone augmentation, as it has shown to improve the healing process while reducing the risk of complications.
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