Khoury Technique Versus Titanium Reinforced PTFE Membrane in 3D Alveolar Bone Augmentation

This study targeted bone augmentation in atrophic posterior mandible. Two groups were assigned. The first group included titanium-reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene (Ti PTFE) membrane as a rigid modality to achieve guided-bone regeneration (GBR): A mixture of autogenous bone (scrapped from the mandibular external oblique ridge) and bovine xenograft was administered on the atrophic recipient area after decortication by low-speed reducing drills, and covered with the mentioned membrane. The second group utilized rigid bone-plates (a bone block was harvested from the mandibular external oblique ridge, then splitted into two plates; one fixated buccally and the other fixated occlusally by bone screws), and the same bone mixture was prepared and introduced as in the first group. All procedures were operated under local anesthesia in a minor oral surgical setting.

Follow-up time intervals were the first postoperative day, and the sixth postoperative month. Two outcome variables were assessed; gained bone volume and gained bone height.

Inclusion criteria

• Age above 18 years old.
• Good oral hygiene.
• Missing mandibular posterior teeth.
• No history of bruxism or para-functional habits.
• Residual alveolar ridge height cannot accommodate dental implant placement.
• Patients prepared to comply with the follow-up and maintenance program.
• Agreement and signing the informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Systemic diseases that may contraindicate the surgery or affect soft tissue or bone healing.
• Heavy smoking (more than 20 cigarettes/day).
• Intraosseous pathological lesion at the intended grafting site.
• Gingival inflammation at the intended implant site.
• Periodontal diseases affecting teeth adjacent to the edentulous space.
• Inadequate inter-arch space after the indented vertical augmentation.