Alveolar segmental sandwich osteotomy for anterior maxillary vertical augmentation prior to implant placement

Over a 5-year period, 10 partially edentulous patients with anterior vertical maxillary deficiency were treated consecutively with segmental osteotomy and interpositional bone grafting prior to dental implant placement. Alveolar vertical projection and papillary form proved to be stable in all patients up to 5 years postsurgery. Implant aesthetic results were judged to be satisfactory. The technique is an alternative to alveolar distraction osteogenesis but is limited to a vertical increase of about 5 mm in the anterior maxilla.