Localized edentulous ridge augmentation with upside down osteotomy prior to implant placement

Localized bone defects may be seen following the extraction of teeth with periapical lesion or advanced periodontal disease, or as a result of trauma. When these regions are considered for treatment with implants, localized ridge augmentation will be necessary. Autogenous bone grafts are used exclusively for ridge augmentation. This case report represents the treatment of a localized edentulous ridge with an upside down osteotomy technique at the symphysis region prior to implant placement. Systemically healthy 21-year-old female patient, who was missing a lower right incisor tooth, was scheduled for an implant treatment. However, the crestal width was only 1 mm. The augmentation was planned and the region was treated with an upside down osteotomy technique. Nine months after the augmentation procedure, the computed tomography (CT) examination of the area revealed that the width of the crest was 7 mm, and the height of the crest was in good relation with the cementoenamel junction of the adjacent teeth. Flipping a bone block graft, which was harvested from the edentulous area, upside down may provide a successful result in partially edentulous ridges, in both maxilla and mandible.