Ridge Augmentation With Mineralized Block Allografts

Abstract

Bone augmentation is frequently used to create sufficient bone volume for ideal implant placement. Severely resorbed ridges require extensive bone augmentation in the form of block allografts. A 3-dimensional graft technique has been developed to augment atrophic areas. This technique involves modifying the graft on a sterile prototype of the recipient site before the surgery. This article investigates the clinical and histological outcomes of ridge augmentation using this technique. Eight partially edentulous patients were recruited. Ridge augmentations were performed using block allografts, preadjusted, based on sterile prototypes of the recipient bed before the surgeries. After 8 months, 20 implants were inserted into the grafted sites. Eight bone cores were harvested for histological analysis. Highly vital and mineralized bone with lamellar organization was observed at the grafted sites. Having the ability to modify the allogeneic block grafts to fit the recipient sites before the surgery minimized the surgical time and risk of postoperative complications such as infection. In addition, the clinician could concentrate fully on achieving tension-free primary wound closure.