VERTICAL RIDGE AUGMENTATION IN THE POSTERIOR MANDIBLE – A CASE REPORT

Tooth loss leads to bone resorption and, in some cases, to insufficient alveolar bone, for implant placement. To provide adequate bone volume and ensure an aesthetic result, Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR) often is prerequisite in order to increase alveolar ridge vertically and horizontally. The purpose of this poster is to analyze a case with extended bone loss in the posterior mandible and to present the clinical procedure and outcome of a vertical ridge augmentation followed by the implant placement. An extended vertical bone augmentation was performed, using autogenous graft combined with allograft and xenograft, stabilized by a fibrin sealant made from pooled human plasma. To protect the graft, a non-resorbable high-density PTFE membrane with titanium frame was used, fixed in place with titanium pins. Seven months later, a second surgery took place for the membrane removal and the guided implant placement. Furthermore, due to limited attached keratinized tissues, a free gingival graft from the palatal was placed to the area. After the period of osseointegration, and the effective increase of the attached gingiva, a digitally made monolithic zirconia implant-supported bridge was designed and successfully restored the edentulous area. The rehabilitation of edentulism using implants requires a sufficient bone volume for the purpose of long-term prognosis. GBR is one of the most reliable and predictable methods to reconstruct alveolar ridge even in cases with extended bone loss. However, extended vertical bone augmentation constitutes a serious clinical challenge and has to be carefully executed following the contemporary protocols.