Interantral alveolar ridge splitting for maxillary horizontal expansion and simultaneous dental implant insertion: A case report

INTRODUCTION: Dental implants present an advanced technique for the rehabilitation of partial or edentulous patients. Tooth loss caused by caries, periodontal disease or systemic factors often results in a decline of the bucco-lingual alveolar ridge dimension. Within one year the initial bone width can be resorbed up to 50%. As a consequence dental implants may be limited for rehabilitation and cannot be performed in a conventional manner because of the risk of dehiscence and fenestrations. Bone blocks, guided bone regeneration (GBR), horizontal osteogenic distraction and bone grafts may be used for augmentation procedures. In case of sufficient vertical bone dimension, an alveolar ridge splitting and augmentation technique (ARST) can be conducted. This case has been reported in line with PROCESS criteria [1]. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 51-year old female patient, who has had a full denture for about 30 years. The reason for consultation was the demand for a fixed prosthesis. Dental implants in combination of the ARST with GBR allowed us to correct horizontal deformities of the alveolar ridge. DISCUSSION: We discuss the possibility of using the ARST in the interantral region for a full arch rehabilitation of the maxilla with simultaneous dental implant placement in a narrow alveolar ridge. CONCLUSION: The ARST in addition to simultaneous implant placement with a GBR can be successfully used for a full arch rehabilitation of the maxilla in a narrow alveolar ridge.