Bone Augmentation Procedures Research Articles

Evaluation of the need to prescribe opioid medication to control post-surgical pain of different periodontal/oral surgeries.

To determine the level of perceived pain after different types of periodontal/oral surgical procedures, and the differences in patients' selection of pain management, over the counter (OTC) versus opioid, based on procedure type. Patients undergoing surgical procedures were asked to complete a pain questionnaire at four time points: 1) before surgery 2) first dose of analgesic at home, 3) 24hours postoperatively, and 4) 72hours postoperatively. The questionnaire consisted of numerical and descriptive scales to describe the perceived pain. A total of 198 patients completed the questionnaire. All surgical procedures were grouped into five major categories: bone augmentation procedures (11% BAP), teeth extractions (26% EXT), surgical implant placement (25% IP), mucogingival surgeries (21% MGS), and pocket elimination procedures (17%). IP surgery was associated with significantly less pain compared with MGS and EXT (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference for taking any medication based on type of surgical procedure at 24hours (P<0.05). IP is associated with significantly lower perceived pain compared with EXT and MGS surgery. Analgesic consumption was generally parallel to pain perception. A considerable number of patients elected to control the post-surgical pain using OTC medication up to 72hours. Periodontal/oral surgery procedures vary in the amount of perceived postoperative pain. Tailoring postoperative medications to the type of periodontal/oral surgery performed will help prevent overprescribing of opioids.

The Influence of Different Graft Designs of Intraoral Bone Blocks on Volume Gain in Bone Augmentation Procedures: An In Vitro Study.

Intraoral bone blocks from the external oblique are the gold standard for alveolar ridge bone grafting, but the limited amount of available bone limits their use for larger defects. The objective of this study was to compare whether different graft designs of intraoral bone blocks could affect the amount of bone gain. In this in vitro study, 20 pig jaws were used to harvest bone blocks and subsequently augment single-wall bone defects. Each bone graft was first used as a full block, and then the same block was divided lengthwise into two blocks, with one block fixed at a distance as a cortical shell and the second block particulated to fill the gap between graft and bone. Three stereolithographic (STL) files (pre-OP, full block, split block) were generated using an intraoral scanner. All STL files were evaluated for volume gain and horizontal bone dimensions. A mean volume gain of 0.36 cm2 (SD: 0.09) was achieved for the full block and 0.78 cm2 (SD: 0.14) for the split block using the same block. The difference was statistically significant (P < .0001). A mean horizontal bone gain of 4.37 mm (SD: 0.93) was achieved with a full block and 5.77 mm (SD: 0.85) with the shell technique (P < .0001). With the same amount of bone removed, first as a full block and then as a split block, the split-block technique achieved a significantly higher bone gain compared with the full-block design.

The influence of crown-to-implant ratio on marginal bone loss: a narrative review

Background and Objective: Marginal bone loss (MBL) is considered a fundamental criterion for implant success. Many factors may influence MBL, but it is still not clear how MBL is influenced by crown-to-implant ratio (C/I-R). In addition, the introduction of short implants, to avoid bone augmentation procedure, lead to ratios higher and higher. The aim of this study is to elucidate about the role of high C/I-R on MBL.

Tilted Implants: An Alternative to Conventional Fabricated Dentures

Rehabilitation of patients with completely edentulous maxilla and mandible with implant becomes difficultbecause of less bone quantity, poor bone quality, maxillary sinus in posterior maxilla and mental foramen andmandibular canal in mandible. Sinus lifting procedure and bone augmentation procedure were required totreat such patients, prior to implant placement. This article reviews on an alternative treatment procedure inwhich two posterior implants are placed at an angle eliminating the need for sinus lift or bone augmentationprocedures.

A novel digital and visualized guided bone regeneration procedure and digital precise bone augmentation: A case series

Although the traditional bone augmentation technology can basically meet the clinical needs at present, the effect of bone augmentation in most cases is related to the experience of the operator. This study commits to providing a digital solution for precise bone augmentation in the field of oral implantology. After collecting the data of patients' intraoral scanning and DICOM (digital imaging and communications in medicine), the implant position is digitally designed, and the alveolar bone is digitally augmented around the ideal implant position. On the premise of ensuring that the thickness of labial bone is 2 mm, and there is sufficient alveolar bone 3 to 4 mm apically from the ideal gingival margin for implant placing, we carry out excessive augmentation of 0.5 and 1 mm on the labial bone and alveolar crest, respectively, to compensate for possible bone resorption after 6 months. After 3D printing the reconstructed alveolar bone model, the titanium mesh is trimmed and preformed on the alveolar bone model. Outcomes are reported in terms of mean values (5%-95% percentile values). Thirty implant sites have accepted this novel virtually designed alveolar bone augmentation. Before the second-stage surgery, the average vertical bone gain was 2.48 mm (0.29-6.32), the average horizontal bone gain was 4.11 mm (1.19-8.74), the average height of the residual alveolar bone above the implant platform was 1.44 mm (0.59-2.92), the average thickness of the labial bone width at the implant platform was 2.00 mm (0.93-3.64), the average thickness of the labial bone width at 2 mm apically from the implant platform was 2.74 mm (1.40-5.46). The virtual augmentation of each tooth position was 349.41 mm3 (165.70-482.70), while the actual augmentation of each tooth position was 352.94 mm3 (159.24-501.78), the accuracy of the final actual augmentation reached 95.82% (range from 88.53% to 99.15%). This case series suggests that a virtually digital guided bone regeneration (GBR) workflow is precise and controllable. The practicality, safety and effectiveness of this procedure needs to be compared to other bone augmentation procedures in randomized controlled trials.

D-Ptfe Cytoplast® membranes in guided bone regeneration in implantology

The vertical bone increase of alveolar rim is important to obtain good results in rehabilitation with prostheses on implants. This Literature Review sought articles that treat bone increases of alveolar edges using Cytoplast® membranes, seeking to evaluate the resistance to bacterial penetration and capacity to create and maintain space. For this, a literature review was made on the Pubmed and Google scholar search platforms. The researches analyzed found similar results between d-PTFE membrane, titanium meshes and e-PTFE membranes, both in bone gain and bone quality. The space maintenance capacity was evident in the articles in which the titanium reinforced membrane was used. The d-PTFE membrane presented a greater capacity of exposure to the oral environment without compromising the graft material. The authors researched in this study found that titanium-reinforced d-PTFE membranes for bone augamble alveolar rim increases are viable and allow a certain period of exposure to the oral environment without graft contamination. Further studies are needed with the Cytoplast® d-PTFE membrane to explore its characteristics with vertical bone augmentation procedures.

Healed Edentulous Sites: Suitability for Dental Implant Placement, Need for Secondary Procedures, and Contemporary Implant Designs

The purpose of this retrospective computed tomography study was to evaluate bone availability for dental implant placement, frequency of bone augmentation procedures, frequency of anatomical structures that compromise implant placement, and frequency of implant dimensions, and to determine which edentulous sites would benefit from the use of a sloped implant versus a traditional flat design. Recorded parameters included the width of the ridge, the buccal and lingual/palatal alveolar bone height in reference to different anatomical landmarks, determination of implant placement, selection of an implant with a flat or sloped top, and need for a secondary bone augmentation procedure. One thousand three hundred seventy edentulous sites were evaluated in 216 patients. Implants could be placed in 60.6% of the total sites, where the coronal portion would be sloped in 59% of sites and conventionally flat in 41%; 39.4% of sites were not adequate for implant placement, where 56.5% needed additional guided bone regeneration procedures and 43.5% required sinus augmentation procedures. The inferior alveolar canal was the most frequent anatomical structure limiting size and/or placement. The study indicates that implants can be placed in slightly over half of edentulous sites without a secondary grafting procedure. The possibility of dental implant placement varied according to the volume and morphology of alveolar bone and related anatomical structures. This decreased from anterior to posterior in both arches. The sloped implant design was beneficial. In addition, the sloped implant design resulted in the placement of a longer implant.

Posterior Glenoid Augmentation With Extra-articular Iliac Crest Autograft for Recurrent Posterior Shoulder Instability

Several techniques have been described for bone block augmentation as a treatment for posterior shoulder instability, including intra-articular distal tibial allograft and extra-articular iliac crest autograft. Although indications are not yet well defined, these bone augmentation procedures are considered in patients with glenoid bone loss, increased glenoid retroversion, previous failed posterior soft-tissue repair, and insufficient posterior capsulolabral tissue. In patients with posterior glenoid bone loss, the senior author (P.J.M.) recommends intra-articular glenoid reconstruction with a fresh distal tibial osteoarticular allograft. In patients with insufficient posterior capsulolabral tissue, the senior author prefers an extra-articular iliac crest autograft to buttress the posterior soft-tissue restraints. This technique guide outlines extra-articular iliac crest autograft treatment for recurrent posterior shoulder instability in patients with insufficient posterior soft tissues due to prior failed surgery. After an open capsulolabral repair is performed using suture anchors, the bone block is placed extra-articularly on the posterior glenoid neck.

Assessment of the configuration of the mandibular canal using cone beam computed tomography.

During dental implants placement and bone augmentation procedures, it is important to determine the presence and location of mandibular canal anatomical variation in order to avoid injuries to inferior alveolar bundle. This study aimed to describe the prevalence and configuration of mandibular canal branching in the posterior region of the mandible using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The interpretation of the images was conducted according to the presence, classification and location of the mandibular canal. Horizontal and vertical distances from mandibular canal in the ramus region to the molar region was recorded. CBCT images of 751 patients, 486 women (64.7%) and 265 men (35.3%), with a mean age of 54.57 (±13.23; 14-93) years, were interpreted by one calibrated examiner. Out of 1502 hemi-mandibles images, mandibular canal variations were observed in 130 (8.6%). Sixty-four (49.2%) mandibular canal variations were identified on the right side and 66 (50.8%) on the left side. The mean distances between superior cortical of the mandibular canal and the base of mandible, buccal cortical of mandibular canal and buccal cortical bone, and superior cortical of mandibular canal and alveolar ridge were 12.16 mm (±2.68), 4.17 mm (±1.30), and 12.97mm (±4.01), respectively. Type I mandibular canal variation was the most frequent (68; 52.2%), followed by type III (34; 26.1%). Prevalence of mandibular canal variations was 8.6%, type I was the most common and its direction showed proximity with lingual surface in the second molar region.

Influence of crown-implant ratio on implant success rate of ultra-short dental implants: results of a 8- to 10-year retrospective study.

The use of short implants has been suggested in recent years as an option for facilitating prosthetic restoration in resorbed jawbones. The aim of the present study was to determine how implant success rate is affected in the long term when ultra-short implants are rehabilitated with fixed restorations, resulting in a crown to implant (C/I) ratio of more than 3:1. The study was conducted as an analysis on all patients operated from December 2005 to November 2007 with ultra-short dental implants. All implants were sintered porous-surfaced (SPS) with a length of 5mm and a diameter of 5mm (5 × 5mm) and were restored with a single crown or a fixed dental prosthesis (FDP). Data collected included implant positioning site, crestal bone levels (CBL), and clinical and anatomical C/I ratios, and pre-established success criteria were used to evaluate the success rate of the implants. Statistical analysis was used to determine any significant differences or correlations (p = 0.05). Forty-one patients completed the follow-up and were eligible for this retrospective study on a total of 50 ultra-short SPS implants. The mean follow-up was 9.5years (range 8.3 to 10.2years). Three of the 50 implants failed because they were lost due to peri-implantitis, while all the other 47 met the pre-established success criteria giving an overall implant success rate of 94%. During the follow-up period, the mean peri-implant bone loss (PBL) was 0.41 + 0.36mm. This study shows that ultra-short SPS implants can prove a reliable solution for prosthetic restoration in patients with severe alveolar bone atrophy. In selected patients with a sufficient bone width, ultra-short implants with a resulting C/I ratio of more than 3:1 presented no contraindications. In selected cases, ultra-short implants may represent an alternative to bone augmentation procedures and a long-term predictable solution.

The influence of simultaneous lateral grafting on clinical outcomes following one-stage implant placement: a cross-sectional analysis

BackgroundTo investigate the influence of lateral bone augmentation procedures performed simultaneously with implant placement on peri-implant health or disease.Material and methodsA total of 232 patients showing the same type of a two-piece implant placed either simultaneously with lateral bone grafting using a bovine bone mineral and a native collagen membrane (n = 291 implants; test group) or at pristine bone sites without lateral bone grafting (n = 283 implants; control group) were enrolled in this cross-sectional analysis. Clinical outcomes (i.e., modified plaque index (mPI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), and mucosal recession (MR)), and the frequency of peri-implant disease were evaluated after a mean follow-up period of 9.97 ± 6.55 years.ResultsNo differences were found between the patients in the test and control groups for any of the parameters investigated (i.e., mPI, BOP, PD, and MR). For the implants in both groups, PD values of 4–6 mm were more frequently noted in the upper jaw. A significant correlation between increased PD values and a larger implant diameter was noted for test implant sites. A KM of < 2 mm was associated with increased MR values in both groups. The prevalence of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis was 68% and 5% for the patients in the test group and 61% and 10% in the control group, respectively.ConclusionsSimultaneous lateral grafting was associated with peri-implant tissue health and stability.

Recurrence Rates Following Arthroscopic Shoulder Stabilization are Improved Following a Criteria Based Return to Sport Testing Protocol

Objectives:Recurrent shoulder instability after arthroscopic shoulder stabilization is a challenging complication that often manifests after return to sports. Many physicians use an arbitrary minimum of 5 months from surgery for clearance, although there is little data to support the use of temporal based criteria. Prior literature on ACL reconstruction has demonstrated overwhelming evidence for improved failure rates following return to sport after criteria based testing compared to time based clearance, but no such studies to date have evaluated the use of objective return to play testing protocols on recurrence rates following arthroscopic shoulder stabilization. We have prior presented on a return to sport criteria-based protocol that has demonstrated that a majority of athletes have residual strength and functional limitations which would preclude them from full clearance and return to play at 6 months postoperatively. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of a return to play criteria-based testing protocol on recurrent instability following arthroscopic shoulder stabilization. We hypothesized that patients who meet return to play criteria would have less recurrent instability compared to those who did not undergo the testing and were cleared to return based on time from surgery.Methods:Forty eight patients (group I) who underwent arthroscopic shoulder stabilization surgery from 2016 to 2018 with minimum 1 year follow up and were referred during postoperative rehabilitation for functional testing to evaluate readiness for return to sport were included in this retrospective case controlled study. These patients were compared to a control group of forty-eight historical consecutive cases (group II) who did not undergo return to sports testing and were cleared for sports after a minimum of 5 months following surgery. Patients with critical glenoid bone loss or off-track Hill-Sach’s lesions necessitating a remplissage or bone augmentation procedure were excluded from the study. ANOVA and independent t test were performed to analyze recurrence shoulder instability rates defined as dislocations or subluxation symptoms.Results:There was no difference between groups with regard to age ( p=0.64), sex (p=0.24), hand dominance (p=0.84), or participation in contact sports (p=0.66). Patients who underwent return to play criteria based testing protocol had a statistically significant difference in the rate of recurrent shoulder instability (10% vs. 31%, odds ratio=3.9, p<0.001).Conclusion:Athletes who undergo an objective return to play criteria based testing protocol have lower rates of recurrent instability following arthroscopic shoulder stabilization surgery than those cleared by time from surgery. Based on our findings, we strongly recommend the utilization of a criteria based testing protocol for return to play following arthroscopic shoulder stabilization, particularly for sports that have known higher risks of recurrence.

The width of keratinized mucosa around dental implants and its influencing factors.

A few evidence is available in the literature concerning the pattern of variation in the width of keratinized mucosa (KMW) around dental implants and factors that may affect the KMW. The purpose of this study is to investigate the KMW at the buccal aspect of dental implants and to analyze its influencing factors. The current study was a retrospective study conducted on 726 patients with 1252 dental implants. The following parameters were evaluated by reviewing the medical records of each patient, including the age, gender and smoking status of each patient, the reasons of teeth loss, the position of implants, the bone augmentation procedures, and the KMW. Binary logistic regression analysis with the generalized estimating equations was utilized to analyze the factors that may affect the KMW of dental implants. The KMW of implants located in the maxilla was significantly higher than that of implants located in the mandible (P < .01), except for the upper and lower canines. The logistic regression analysis indicated that the risk of the implants presenting inadequate KMW (<2 mm) in the periodontitis-caused tooth loss group was 1.91 times of the non-periodontitis-caused tooth loss group. The risk of implants presenting inadequate KMW after receiving simple and complex bone augmentation procedures was 1.65 and 2.62 times of the risk of implants without bone augmentation, respectively. The longer the follow-up period, the higher the risk of implants presenting inadequate KMW will be. The KMW at the buccal aspect of implants is related to the position of implants. Tooth loss due to periodontitis, the bone augmentation procedures, and the process of functional period would increase the risk of implants presenting an inadequate amount of keratinized mucosa.

Platelet-rich plasma counteracts detrimental effect of high-glucose concentrations on mesenchymal stem cells from Bichat fat pad.

Diabetic patients display increased risk of periodontitis and failure in bone augmentation procedures. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) represent a relevant advantage in tissue repair process and regenerative medicine. We isolated MSCs from Bichat's buccal fat pad (BFP) and measured the effects of glucose and PRP on cell number and osteogenic differentiation potential. Cells were cultured in the presence of 5.5-mM glucose (low glucose [LG]) or 25-mM glucose (high glucose [HG]). BFP-MSC number was significantly lower when cells were cultured in HG compared with those in LG. Following osteogenic differentiation procedures, calcium accumulation, alkaline phosphatase activity, and expression of osteogenic markers were significantly lower in HG compared with LG. Exposure of BFP-MSC to PRP significantly increased cell number and osteogenic differentiation potential, reaching comparable levels in LG and in HG. Thus, high-glucose concentrations impair BFP-MSC growth and osteogenic differentiation. However, these detrimental effects are largely counteracted by PRP.

Arthroscopic Iliac Bone Block Augmentation for Glenoid Reconstruction: Transglenoid Fixation Technique Using an All-Suture Anchor

Arthroscopic Bankart repair of anterior instability has shown relatively good results, but its effectiveness is unclear in cases wherein there is a bone defect in the glenoid bone. The surgical management of recurrent anterior shoulder instability with severe glenoid bone loss has been challenging until now. Therefore the Latarjet procedure was introduced as an alternative that provided good results in cases of full instability with a bone defect. In cases of recurrent anterior shoulder instability, bone defects are often present within the glenoid. To restore glenohumeral stability, a bone augmentation procedure is required, and the Latarjet procedure to use bony transfer from the coracoid is the most popular technique. However, resorption of the bone graft with metal screw protrusion is a serious concern, whereas the relative contribution of the dynamic sling effect of the Latarjet procedure remains controversial. The Latarjet procedure also destroys the normal kinematics, resulting in side effects such as scapular dyskinesia. Here we introduce an arthroscopic anterior bone block procedure for reconstructing anterior glenoid bone defects using an autologous iliac crest graft. This technique enables precise bone block placement and fixation using one all-suture anchor instead of screw fixation.

Evaluation of Horizontal and Vertical Buccal Ridge Dimensional Changes After Immediate Implant Placement and Immediate Temporization With and Without Bone Augmentation Procedures: Short-Term, 1-Year Results. A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

This prospective randomized controlled clinical trial aimed to compare changes in the horizontal and vertical soft tissue and the alveolar ridge dimension over the course of 12 months following immediate implant placement and temporization with or without simultaneous augmentation with a deproteinized bovine bone mineral with 10% collagen (DBBM-C). Thirty-two patients with a hopeless maxillary anterior tooth and fully intact sockets received an immediate implant and provisional or custom healing abutment after a flapless extraction. Patients were randomized to a control group (n = 16), which received no graft, or to a test group (n = 16), which received DBBM-C grafts. Horizontal and vertical soft tissue changes as well as soft tissue thickness were compared digitally between groups on casts obtained from impressions made at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months. The test group showed less horizontal dimensional change than the control group; however, the change between the two groups was not statistically significant. Vertical dimensional soft tissue changes from baseline to 12 months showed a statistically significant difference at the distal papilla, favoring the test group. No statistically significant difference was observed for vertical changes between both groups at mesial papillae and midbuccal soft tissue; however, the test group showed lower values overall. No statistically significant differences in soft tissue thickness between groups were detected. Immediate implant placement and temporization with and without adding DBBM-C demonstrate favorable clinical outcomes regarding horizontal and vertical soft tissue changes. Both groups showed loss of tissue volume. Adding DBBM-C in the gap of immediately placed implants slightly lowered the change in tissue parameters, which was not statistically significant, for the first 12 months after implant placement.

Histological evaluation of two different anorganic bovine bone matrixes in lateral wall sinus elevation procedure: A retrospective study

Introduction:Grafting in oral implantology involves bone augmentation procedures with various bone graft materials. Success of such procedures is evaluated through the amount of bone volume and bone formed at the grafted site. The primary aim of this prospective study was to histomorphometrically evaluate and compare the new bone formation with Bio Oss or Cerabone in the lateral approach sinus augmentation procedure.Materials and Methods:The research targeted 22 patients who were either partially or completely edentulous posterior maxilla with residual alveolar height 3 mm at the site of implantation and underwent a two staged surgical protocol, with a lateral approach sinus grafting with either Bio Oss or Cerabone. Bone trephine biopsies for histological analysis were harvested 6 months after augmentation while preparing the osteotomies for implant placement trephine. The histologic evaluation was performed comparing the newly formed bone, marrow spaces, biomaterial particles remnants, and presence of osteocytes embedded in both trabecular bone and bone tissue near the anorganic bovine bone.Results:The present study showed that neither of the graft material showed any active osteoclasts and host inflammatory reaction. From sites grafted with Cerabone, an ample amount of mature lamellated bone formation was seen, also host inflammatory response was indicative of minimal reactive inflammatory response suggestive of good acceptability of the graft material by the host. No significant differences between the groups could be detected with regard to new bone formation and residual bone substitute.Conclusion:The results of the study illustrates that both the bone substitute materials allow predictable new bone formation in sinus augmentation procedures.

Alternativas para reabilitação com implantes dentários em mandíbula posterior atrófica

An adequate bone volume is mandatory for a favorable long-term prognosis in patients treated with dental implants. The vertical deficiency of posterior mandible is a common condition in partially edentulous patients, in which vertical bone augmentation procedures or inferior alveolar nerve transposition become necessary for the dental implant rehabilitation. Thus, the aim of this study was to discuss options of vertical bone augmentation techniques in atrophic posterior mandibles and to present, as case reports, alternatives for the rehabilitation of patients with this condition. So, three alternatives of treatment were presented: the use of Cytoplast titanium-reinforced membrane over autogenous and xenogenous particulate bone graft; sandwich osteotomy; and nerve transposition. In the three reported cases, the chosen surgical techniques showed to be appropriated and allowed the placement of longer implants. No significant complications were observed and all the patients were satisfied with the performed treatment. It is possible to conclude that the reconstruction of atrophic posterior mandible remains a challenge to the professionals, who must know the various existing techniques and choose the most suitable one to each patient.

Performance of bone-level implants with conical connections in the anterior maxilla: A 5-year prospective cohort study.

To assess clinical, radiographic and aesthetic outcomes, and satisfaction of patients treated with single implant restorations in the maxillary aesthetic region 5years after final restoration. Sixty patients (29 male/31 female, mean age 37years) with a missing anterior tooth in the maxilla (39 central incisors/10 lateral incisors/5 cuspids/6 first premolars) received a bone-level implant with conical connection. In 29 patients, a bone augmentation procedure was necessary before implant placement (autogenous bone grafts mixed with spongiosa granules). All implants (12 with 3.3mm diameter/ 48 with 4.1mm diameter) were loaded after 3months of submerged healing. The restoration consisted of an individually designed full-zirconia abutment veneered with porcelain. Follow-up with clinical and radiographic assessment was conducted until 60months after the final restoration. Aesthetic outcome of the restoration was determined with the Pink Esthetic Score-White Esthetic Score (PES-WES). Patient satisfaction was assessed with a VAS scale and satisfaction questionnaire. Fifty patients completed the 5-year follow-up. Implant survival was 100%, restoration survival 98%. Mean bone-level change was -0.13±0.66mm with a median (IQR) pocket probing depth of 2.75 [2.25; 3.25]. The mean PES and WES scores were 6.6±1.7 and 7.8±1.5, respectively. Patient satisfaction was high (92.1±7.8 on 100mm VAS scale). There were no differences between patients with or without a bone augmentation procedure. Bone-level implants with a conical connection are a reliable treatment option in single-tooth replacements in the maxillary aesthetic zone.

A "Graft Less" Approach for Dental Implant Placement in Posterior Edentulous Sites.

Vertical bone augmentation techniques are more invasive than other procedures, and success rates often vary according to the surgical expertise of the clinician. As a result, there has been a trend over time towards minimally invasive treatment options in implant dentistry. This article discusses a "graft less" treatment philosophy that emphasizes the use of less-demanding augmentation techniques for the purpose of placing shorter implants in atrophic posterior sites, avoiding more complicated procedures for implant placement. In the posterior maxilla and mandible, the use of short implants (< 8.0 mm) can reduce the need for vertical bone grafting. Patients often prefer this strategy over more complex procedures that can cause complications, increase morbidity, and require longer treatment times with higher costs. When inadequate available bone is present for implant placement, planned bone augmentation procedures may be performed for the purpose of placing shorter implants; these procedures are less demanding, less invasive, and more predictable, allowing long-term outcomes for the implant-supported restoration.