Evaluation of piezotomed alveolar ridge splitting with stereolithographic surgical guide for implant placement (clinical study)

Narrow dentoalveolar ridges remain a serious challenge for the successful placement of endosseous implants. Several techniques for this procedure may be considered, such as guided bone regeneration, bone block grafting, and ridge splitting for bone expansion. The ridge split procedure provides a quicker and a more reliable method. Advances in technology, Stereolithography allow fabrication of surgical guide from 3D generated models for precise implant placement.Objectives: Evaluation of minimally invasive ridge splitting procedure aided with surgical guide.Materials and methods: A clinical study was performed on a total of 7 patients with mandibular free end saddle. The sample was selected conveniently to fulfill a list of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Then the selected participants performed ridge splitting with the aid of surgical guide. After ridge splitting, all patients had simultaneous implant placement followed by clinical and radiographical evaluation over a period of 6 months.Results: Merging the preoperative, immediate and 6 months postoperative CBCT images showed statistically significant values of accuracy and increase in bone width and bone density.Conclusion: Alveoalar ridge splitting with the aid of stereolithographic surgical stent is a well acceptable technique for implant placement