Guided bone regeneration using K-incision technique.

PURPOSE: The present study describes 3 patients with chronic periodontitis and consequent vertical resorption of the alveolar ridge who were treated using implant-based restoration with guided bone regeneration (GBR).

METHODS

After extraction of a periodontally compromised tooth, vertical bone augmentation using a K-incision was performed at the healed, low-level alveolar ridge.

RESULTS

The partial-split K-incision enabled soft tissue elongation without any change in buccal vestibular depth, and provided sufficient keratinized gingival tissue during GBR.

CONCLUSIONS

Within the limits of this study, the present case series demonstrated that the novel K-incision technique was effective for GBR and allowed normal implant-based restoration and maintenance of a healthy periodontal condition. However, further long-term follow-up and a large-scale randomized clinical investigation should be performed to evaluate the feasibility of this technique.