Slow-Resorbing Small Intestinal Submucosa Membrane for Horizontal Ridge Augmentation: A Case Series.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of a slow-resorbing small intestinal submucosa (SIS) membrane combined with freeze-dried bone allograft (FDBA) for horizontal bone augmentation in severely atrophic ridges.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Six patients underwent horizontal ridge augmentation using FDBA and a slow-resorbing SIS membrane. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used to measure horizontal bone width 2 mm apical to the alveolar crest at preoperatively (T0), immediately postoperatively (T1), and 4-6 months postoperatively (T2). Membrane integrity was assessed at the time of implant placement. Additionally, bone core biopsy was obtained for histomorphometric analyses.

RESULTS

All surgical sites healed uneventfully. Horizontal bone gain was 4.74 ± 2.00 mm (T2-T0), with minimal resorption (0.37 ± 0.22 mm, T1-T2) and 95.08% ± 3.30% bone retention. Histomorphometry showed 44.6% new bone and 38.1% residual graft. All SIS membranes retained structural integrity at re-entry.

CONCLUSION

In this small case series, the SIS-GBR technique, combining a slow-resorbing SIS membrane with FDBA, provided preliminary evidence of substantial horizontal bone gain and favorable biocompatibility, with minimal short-term resorption.