Ridge expansion in deficient alveolar ridge with immediate implant placement: a case report

With advancement in clinical dentistry, implant therapy is one of the most upcoming treatment option for fixed prosthesis with a predictable outcome. However, sometimes insufficient bone due to long standing edentulism may pose a challenge for implant placement. To overcome such a clinical presentation in 1970s, ridge splitting or bone spreading procedure was introduced by Hilt Tatum. This technique has been used for esthetic rehabilitation and implant site preparation in cases of deficient alveolar ridges to satisfy the basic ideal need of hard tissue augmentation. In this case report, we describe a case of horizontal ridge augmentation using ridge expansion technique which was performed using ridge expansion kit and simultaneous implant placement in esthetic mandibular anterior zone. Bone expansion resulted in correction of atrophic alveolar ridge (Labiolingual width > 3.5mm) without significant surgical risk and multiple surgeries. The degree of bone expansion obtained had remodelled the alveolar bone providing adequate bone support for prosthesis. A significant increase was achieved in the bone dimension, which enabled the placement of endosseous dental implants successfully. After 4-5 months of healing period both the implants were stable clinically and radiographically and hence were restored.