Hard and Soft Peri-Implant Tissue Augmentation using Ridge Split with Guided Bone Regeneration and Free Gingival Autograft.

Horizontal ridge deficiency, particularly in the mandibular arch, poses a challenge for implant supported rehabilitation. Ridge split, along with expansion, allows simultaneous implant placements in such defects, and avoids the delay which usually follows hard tissue augmentation procedures. A 53 year old female with missing mandibular anterior teeth and a bucco-lingual ridge deficiency was treated using the ridge split technique and simultaneous implant placement. Demineralized freeze dried bone allograft (DFDBA) along with anorganic bovine bone (ABB) was packed in the expanded crypt and covered by a collagen membrane. Following successful implant osseointegration, soft tissue augmentation by a vestibular deepening procedure with a strip of autogenous free gingival graft was performed. Prosthetic rehabilitation was done using a cement retained prosthesis after the healing phase. The case was then followed up for 3 years where stable results were noted. Condensed treatment time and a predictable outcome was achieved by using this technique.