Localized ridge augmentation with chin grafts and resorbable pins: case reports

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Regenerative Medicine
• Dental Implantology

Background:

• Partially atrophied alveolar ridges present a challenge for dental implant placement.
• Autologous bone grafting is a common technique for ridge augmentation.
• Resorbable fixation devices are increasingly used in bone grafting procedures.

Observation:

• Mandibular symphysis block grafts were used to augment maxillary and mandibular defects in five patients.
• Grafts were stabilized with resorbable pins, without the use of membranes.
• Progressive resorption of the graft's external cortical surface and pin protrusion were observed between 3-4 months.
• Pins remained contained within the tissue and were resorbed within 4-6 months.

Findings:

• Histologic analysis at 6 months revealed incomplete pin resorption and encapsulation, with a foreign-body reaction in one patient.
• Bone specimens showed a mixed pattern of acellular matrix and normal bone formation.
• Successful ridge augmentation was achieved in all cases, with excellent primary stability for placed ITI endosseous implants.

Implications:

• Resorbable pins can effectively stabilize autologous bone grafts for alveolar ridge augmentation.
• While pin protrusion and incomplete resorption can occur, they do not compromise the overall outcome or implant stability.
• This technique offers a viable option for complex ridge augmentation cases, facilitating subsequent implant placement.