Horizontal Ridge Expansion Using Alveolar Ridge Splitting and Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) or Xenogeneic Graft with Simultaneous Implant Placement (Randomized Controlled Clinical and CBCT Study)

Abstract

For horizontal bone augmentation ridge splitting is considered one of the predictable treatment modalities. It is used for expansion of insufficient residual alveolar ridge width but has adequate vertical height. Also, it required some intervening cancellous bone present between buccal and lingual cortex and without bony undercuts to decrease risk of ridge fracture. During this technique for optimal implant initial stability, implants are placed apical to vertical bony cuts. The primary advantages of this technique are reduced treatment time, reduced tissue morbidity due to lack of the second surgical donor site and one stage augmentation procedure which are the main drawbacks of autogenous bone block graft. In this study 16 Egyptian patients complaining from edentulous alveolar ridge with horizontal bone defect but had sufficient vertical bone height and soft tissue thickness were randomly selected. They were managed by alveolar ridge splitting technique to increase bucco-lingual bone width allowing simultaneous implant placement. For ridge splitting we used bone micro-saw for horizontal and vertical bony cuts followed by bone chisels and expanders. Patients were divided into 2 groups with different t