Split Crest Technique with Immediate Implant to Treat Horizontal Defects of the Alveolar Ridge: Analysis of Increased Thickness and Implant Survival.

Abstract

To assess bone thickness augmentation and implant survival in ridges with horizontal atrophy managed through split crest technique with concomitant installation of dental implants. Thirteen patients with maxillary bone atrophy underwent surgery and had their bone thickness assessed through cone beam computed tomography 6months pre- and postoperatively. Comparative measurements of initial and final bone height and thickness were taken using Dolphin Imaging® 11.5 software. The distance between the nasal fossa floor or the maxillary sinus and the alveolar crest determined the bone height, while the measurement of bone thickness took into account the distance between the vestibular cortical bone and the palatal cortical bone at the crest level, and at 5mm and 10mm from it. The bone height loss of 0.68mm was statistically significant (p = 0.01). The average horizontal bone gain was 3.45mm at ridge level, 3.03mm at 5mm from it and 2.42mm at 10mm from it. The mean horizontal gain for the three regions was 2.97mm, and the values were statistically significant for all three regions assessed (p < 0.01). No complications were associated with the surgical procedures, and 23 implants were installed following the surgical expansion. No implants were lost (100% survival). The split crest technique proved to be viable and predictable, enabling a significant increase in ridge thickness and a high percentage of implant survival.