Objectives: This study assessed the use of beta-tricalcium phosphate as particulate bone graft material in alveolar ridge splitting in a horizontally deficient posterior mandible.
Materials and Methods: 5 patients (ten surgical sites) were recruited for this study. They were all bilaterally treated with modified ridge splitting technique once with and once without using beta- tricalcium Phosphate material (B-TCP). Then a delayed implant placement was done after 6 months. Bone gain was assessed radiogarphically using cone beam CT and histologically before and after addition of bone graft. Repeated measures ANOVA test was used to compare between mean buccolingual bone widths pre and post-operatively. The significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05.
Results: A statistically significant increase in mean bucco-lingual bone width postoperatively at the crestal, middle and apical bone levels in the side which we used (BTCP) as bone grafting material. BTCP group recorded higher values of M= 3.65, 3.41 and 2.65 with statistical significance at level 2mm, 5mm and 10mm respectively than the non-grafting group that recorded 1.84, 0.86 and 0.64 for the same levels tested.
Conclusion: Modified ridge splitting technique with using beta- tricalcium Phosphate material (B-TCP) for horizontal augmentation of the posterior mandibular atrophic ridges provides predictable and reliable results in bone recovery.
Keywords: Beta tricalcium phosphate, bone grafting materials, dental implants.