Alveolar Ridge Splitting for Implant Installation in Atrophic Sites: Analysis of a Case Series

Abstract

OLATE, S.; MARÍN, M.; OPORTO, G.; FARIAS, D. & CANTIN, M. Alveolar ridge splitting for implant installation in atrophic sites. Analysis of a case series. Int. J. Odontostomat., 9(2):249-254, 2015. ABSTRACT: The alveolar ridge splitting technique (ARST) has been developed for close to 20 years, demonstrating effectiveness and efficiency in some cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavior of the technique in a series of surgical cases using a piezoelectric system. Eleven patients (ASA I and ASA II) were included in this study. Subjects who smoked or who presented previous implant treatments or reconstructive surgeries in the treatment area were excluded. The surgeries took place under local anesthesia without sedation and consisted of a straight crestal incision and subsequent bone management with 4 different types of inserts mounted on a piezoelectric system, which were used gradually on the alveolar crest, moving down approximately 10 mm. Once the approximately 3 mm expansion had been achieved, the implants were installed under controlled torque and the implant sites and defects present were filled with lyophilized bovine bone. In the splitting technique, there was a fracture of the bone plate in 4 cases, although in each case the implants were installed. A total of 34 implants were installed, of which 27 reached 35 N in installation and the rest between 20 N and 35 N. In the second surgery 2 implants were lost. It can be concluded that the technique is predictable, of low morbidity and with rapid treatment completion, presenting limited intraoperative complications.