Computer-guided vs. Conventional Cortical Shell Technique for Horizontal Augmentation

Tooth extraction may be due to a variety of causes such as badly decayed, periodontal disease, and trauma whatever the reason tooth loss is always followed by loss of masticatory force and muscle stimulation to the alveolar bone so according to Wolff's Law (Wolff, 1892) loss of mechanical stimulation is followed by the reduction of bone mass.

Several surgical protocols have been used to manage horizontal maxillary alveolar bone atrophy such as bone splitting and bone spreading techniques with or without filling the created space, onlay bone graft, guided bone regeneration using resorbable or non-resorbable membrane, distraction osteogenesis, and shell bone block technique which use a thin cortical bone shell to reshape the atrophied ridge and protect the particulate bone graft.

Despite the popularity of this technique, it usually requires high surgical skills, prolonged intra-operative time, and unfortunately has some technical drawbacks. Such as lack of anatomical guidance during bone harvesting which may lead to injury to the important vital structure and lack of guidance during fixation may lead to improperly positioned, tilted, or rotated shell or even leaving an undesired distance between the shell and deficient ridge

With the increasing use of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), intra and extra oral scanner for patient data acquisition, and complete digital workflow in clinical practice and it is rapidly becoming the standard of care in dentistry. Regarding bone augmentation as preparation for future implant placement. computer-aided surgery has been an innovation that enables clinicians to have firm and accurate treatment planning. Also, milling or 3D printing methods allow variable techniques for the fabrication of surgical templates.

This study aims to fully digitalize such technique using patient-specific surgical guides to allow for accurate graft harvesting and positioning and to minimize intraoperative time and complications associated with this procedure

Inclusion criteria

• patient free from any systemic condition.
• Edentulous anterior maxilla with a horizontal deficient alveolar ridge that is less than 4 mm measured from outer buccal cortices to outer palatal cortices.
• Highly motivated patients are willing for the surgical procedure and follow-up, with informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Intra bony lesions (e.g. Cysts) or infections(e.g.abcess) that may retard the osteotomy healing.
• Medically compromised patients.
• Uncooperative patients.
• Patients with any diseases or taking any medications that compromise bone healing