Horizontal alveolar ridge augmentation using autologous press fit bone cylinders and micro-lag-screw fixation: technical note and initial experience.

INTRODUCTION: The use of autologous block bone grafts for horizontal alveolar ridge augmentation in dental implantology is a common surgical procedure. Typically, bone grafts are individually moulded.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to introduce an innovative procedure in lateral bone augmentation, where the recipient side is adjusted to the graft, not vice versa as in common procedures. Our initial clinical experience of twenty-five consecutive cases is presented.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adjusted trephine drills were used to harvest partly cylindrical grafts from the retromolar region of the mandible. After preparing the recipient site with accurately fitting grinding drills, the bone grafts were transplanted.

RESULTS: The horizontally compromised alveolar ridges were successfully augmented and treated with dental implants. No major complication occurred during transplantation, the healing period, and subsequent implant therapy in our experimental setting with 25 patients and 38 augmentation procedures. One out of twenty-five patients presented with temporary dysaesthesia of the inferior alveolar nerve.

CONCLUSION: The new method presented is an effective treatment option for horizontal alveolar ridge augmentation prior to single implant installation. Further studies should evaluate the donor site morbidity and long-term outcome on a larger population.