Horizontal ridge augmentation by ridge split technique using piezosurgery- exploring the techniques beyond prosthetic replacements for resorbed ridges

Abstract

Extraction of teeth leads to hasty ridge resorption. Alveolar ridge resorption occurs rapidly in horizontal direction than in vertical direction, thusdemanding ridge augmentation for implant placement.Conventional techniques such as block grafting shows increased post-operative morbidity and requires second surgical site. Horizontal ridge augmentation (HRA) by ridge split technique (RST) is a minimally invasive procedure that aids in ridge expansion, at the same time preventing the need for second surgical site. The case presented here had adequate ridge height but reduced ridge width in mandibular right quadrant. RST was accomplished using piezosurgery in combination with bioactive glass and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), followed by implant placement. The patient was evaluated periodically at ten days, three months and six months before implant placement.RST provides promising results in terms of gain in ridge width. The use of piezosurgery, bone graft, PRF had added advantage in preservation of the alveolar ridge and post-operative healing. Key words:Ridge augmentation, Ridge split technique, Piezosurgery, Bioactive glass, Platelet-rich fibrin.