HORIZONTAL ALVEOLAR RIDGE AUGMENTATION USING XENOGENIC BONE GRAFT: A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE FLAP AND SUBPERIOSTEAL TUNNELING TECHNIQUES

Abstract

Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognosis of minimal invasive horizontal alveolar ridge augmentation using small incision and subperiosteal tunneling technique. Methods: This study was conducted on 10 partially edentulous patients with horizontal alveolar bone deficiency in 12 areas that need horizontal alveolar ridge augmentation for future implant placement. Cone beam computer tomography was done for sites that need implant placement preoperatively. Xenogeneic bone was used for grafting deficient horizontal alveolar ridge sites using the flap technique in 6 areas and using the subperiosteal tunneling technique in another 6 areas for future implant placement. Cone beam computer tomography was done for grafted sites immediately postoperative and 6 months postoperative. Results: This study was conducted on 10 patients and included 12 implant sites. No complications related to bone grafting were found and there was an adequate clinical prognosis. Regarding the difference from pre-operatively to 6 months post-operatively, a slightly higher increase in ridge width was recorded in subperiosteal tunnel group (1.48±0.99) in comparison to flap group (0.91±0.94), with no statistically significant difference (p=0.086). Conclusions: The bone graft material retained within a pouch formed using small incision and subperiosteal tunneling technique resulted in additional increase within the width of the alveolar ridge than the flap technique. Keywords: alveolar ridge augmentation, Dental implants, xenogeneic bone graft and subperiosteal tunneling technique.