Evaluation of the Split-crest Technique with Simultaneous Implant Placement in Atrophic Edentulous Maxillary and Mandibular Bone: A 5-Year Follow-up Study

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the behavior of the alveolar ridge split technique in a series of surgical cases. Materials and Methods:  One hundred and fifty implants were included in this study for a total of 60 patients. The surgeries consisted of a mid-crestal incision and subsequent bone management with a piezoelectric system. The implants were placed after the alveolar bone was expanded by about 3mm and present bony defects were filled by a mixture of 50% autogenous bone and a xenograft (Bio-Oss®). Bone fracture of the buccal alveolar plate occurred in 8 cases, and those were stabilized with osteosynthesis screws. Implants were simultaneously placed in 140 cases, out of them 4 failures occurred due to membrane exposition. Results: The osseointegration success was estimated to be 97.5%. Conclusion: This study concluded that the bone splitting/expansion seem to be a reliable, predictable, relatively noninvasive technique with limited intraoperative complications. Clinical significance: The study revealed that the alveolar ridge split can be used as an effective technique for atrophic edentulous maxillary and mandibular bone