Prosthetic Rehabilitation of Thin Wiry Ridge by Ridge Splitting and Simultaneous Implants Placement

twenty-one participants were enrolled of which 13 patients (8 females and 5 males) were suffering from maxillary ridge atrophy and 8 patients (5 females and 3 males) had mandibular ridge atrophy; a total of 42 implants were performed using the ridge expansion technique. The expansion was performed using the conventional disk technique, piezoelectric corticotomy, and self-threading expanders. Implants were placed and loaded with fixed partial denture after 4 months for the mandible and 6 months for the maxilla. Implant stability quotient (ISQ) was measured at T0 (implant placement) and TL (loading). Crestal bone levels were measured at different times: T0, TL, and T12 (12 months). Evaluation of prosthetic and surgical complications was carried out. Data were analyzed and compared using analysis of variance and paired t-tests at a significance level of 5%.

Inclusion criteria

• ridge of 2 to 4 mm of initial alveolar crest width
• bone height of at least 8 mm from vitastructures

good oral hygiene.

Exclusion criteria

patients who smoke more than 10 cigarettes per day diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, and periodontal disease.