Clinical Assessment of the Bone Width Following Lateral Ridge Expansion in Augmentation of Narrow Alveolar Ridges for Placing Immediate Dental Implants

BACKGROUND: Less residual alveolar bone at extraction site at esthetic and functional tooth position is the main limitation in placing a dental implant, especially at long-span edentulous ridges. This needs ridge augmentation. AIMS: To assess bone width gain and implant stability following narrow ridge augmentation using the vertical ridge split technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 22 subjects within the age group of 20–60 years and the mean age of 38.46 years. The vertical ridge split technique was done in all subjects for horizontal ridge augmentation. Paraesthesia, pain/discomfort, mobility, and radiographic crestal bone width were assessed 6 months postoperatively. The data were described as mean and standard deviation along with number and percentage. Paired t-test was also used keeping the level of significance at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Implant stability was seen in 86.36% (n = 19) study subjects and were not stable in 13.63% (n = 3) subjects. Bone width preoperatively was in the range of 3.1–4.4 mm with the mean value of 3.64 ± 0.41. Postoperatively, the bone width increased and was in the range of 5.2–6.3 mm with the mean value of 5.62 ± 0.45 mm. This increase postoperatively was statistically significant with a P value of <0.001 CONCLUSION: The present study concludes that acceptable success results are seen using the ridge split technique with simultaneous dental implants placement in both atrophic maxilla and mandible.