Background: The conventional ridge splitting technique offers a feasible and more consistent approach for the challenging narrow alveolar ridge. However, this entails raising of a complete flap to allow an adequate visibility of the osseous defect resulting in disturbance of vascular supply and risk of bone resorption. Stereolithography helps the manufacture of surgical guides using 3D generated models for an accurate placement of implants with minimal invasiveness thus preserving the periosteum.
Objectives: To assess the precision of dental implant placement in narrow ridges after ridge splitting minimally invasive technique using an interchangeable guide.
Materials and Methods: A prospective study was including 5 patients with anterior maxillary narrow ridge. All patients were selected to suit the proposed inclusion and exclusion criteria. Ridge split procedure was performed for all selected subjects assisted with the surgical guide with simultaneous placement of implants. Patients were evaluated by clinical and radiographical assessments with an average of 6 months follow up.
Results: 8 implants were placed. Angular deviations with an average of 2.61 ± 1.46 degrees. The mean values of the horizontal deviation at the coronal and apex sides of the implant were 0.70 ± 0.46 mm and 0.98 ± 0.35 mm. While the Vertical deviations (V) with an average of 0.39 ± 0.29 mm. There were statistically significant differences between preoperative, immediate postoperative and 6 months postoperative values of bone width and density.
Conclusions: Alveolar ridge split technique assisted with an interchangeable surgical guide is a feasible and reliable method for placement of dental implants