Ridge augmentation of Class III ridge defect using piezosurgery with autogenous chin graft followed by implant placement: A 6 months follow-up interventional study

Abstract

Background: Tooth loss occurs due to periodontal disease, extensive dental caries, and fracture of teeth after a dento-alveolar trauma, cyst and tumours of odontogenic and non-odontogenic origin. Following loss of teeth, alveolar ridge resorption becomes an unwanted but unavoidable consequence. In order to restore the lost bone and replace the teeth with implants, ridge augmentation procedures are done. The present study aimed at restoring the class III ridge defect using piezosurgery with autogenous block bone graft procured from mandibular symphysis region. Materials and methods: A total number of 10 healthy patients with Class III ridge defect in maxillary anterior teeth region were enrolled for the study. The donor and defect sites were pre-surgically analysed using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), preclinical models and ridge mapping.The implant site width and height were assessed intra-operatively during the surgery and at re-entry after 6 months. The autogenous block bone grafts were procured from mandibular chin region using piezo-electric device and placed at the recipient site. At the 6 months re-evaluation, both clinical and radiographic parameters were assessed using CBCT of the recipient site. Implants were placed at two-stages and followed-up up to 6 months. Results: Clinical measurements showed that the mean horizontal bone gain and vertical bone gain was noted to be 3.21±0.24 mm and 2.18±0.32 mm respectively, by the end of 6 months follow-up. No major complications were presented at the recipient as well as donor sites. Piezoelectric surgery provided clean, bloodless field during the procedure and minimal post-operative discomfort to the patients. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggests that, class III ridge defects can be successfully augmented using piezo-surgery using autogenous bone grafting from the mandibular symphysis region. Also, delayed implant placement may provide satisfactory functional and aesthetic outcomes on the long term. Keywords: Ridge augmentation; chin graft; Piezosurgery; dental implants