[Vertical ridge augmentation using a microplate in conjunction with a Gore-Tex membrane. A case report]

Oral implantology is considered an acceptable treatment modality to replace missing teeth when a recipient site with a sufficient horizontal and vertical bone volume exists. Guided bone regeneration is based on the principle of selective exclusion of non osteogenic cells from the bony defect by a barrier membrane. Several supporting systems of the barrier membrane have been successfully used to treat non space-mantaining de-fects. A 35-year-old female affected by a partial edentulism in the molar area of the right mandible showed 8 mm of bone height of the residual ridge above the alveolar canal. A vertical ridge augmentation was performed using a Gore-Tex membrane in conjunction with a microplate and an irradiated freeze-dried cortico-cancellous allograft. Six months after the surgical procedure a 11.5 mm by 5 mm threaded implant was placed into the regenerated bone. After three months of healing, the implant was uncovered and considered integrated. Before the implant placement, a biopsy of the regenerated bone was arried out by a triphine. The histological examination of the bony core showed the attainment of biological goals of guided bone regeneration. The surgical technique followes in this case report has been effective in regenerating a vertical bone volume sufficient for implant treatment.