LATERAL RIDGE AUGMENTATION USING AUTOGRAFTS AND BARRIER MEMBRANES - ACLINICAL-STUDY WITH 40 PARTIALLY EDENTULOUS PATIENTS

Purpose: This study evaluated predictability and treatment outcome of the combined application of autografts and expanded-polytetrafluoroeth ylene (e-PTFE) membranes for lateral ridge augmentation in partially e dentulous patients using a staged approach. Materials and Methods: For ty partially edentulous patients were consecutively treated. Emphasis was given to a lateral incision technique, perforation of the cortex t o open the marrow cavity, stable placement of corticocancellous autogr afts and bone chips, precise adaptation of the e-PTFE membranes and st abilization with miniscrews, and a tension-free primary soft tissue cl osure. After 7 to 13 months, the sites were reopened for membrane remo val and implant placement. Results: All but one patient showed complic ation-free soft tissue nealing. After reopening, 38 patients exhibited excellent ridge augmentation, whereas two had compromised results, wi th soft tissue encapsulation of some bone chips. None of the applied b lock grafts showed clinical signs of resorption. Preaugmentation and p ostaugmentation measurements showed an enlargement of the crest width from a mean of 3.5 mm to 7.1 mm, This allowed the placement of nonsubm erged titanium implants in all 40 patients. Conclusions: The current s tudy demonstrates that the combined application of autografts and e-PT FE membranes is a predictable surgical procedure for lateral ridge aug mentation that results in an enlargement of the alveolar crest in part ially edentulous patients. The autografts support the membrane and act ivate bone formation with their osteoconductive and osteoinductive pro perties. The membrane acts as a physical barrier to nonosteogenic soft tissue cells, and protects the autografts against resorption during h ealing.