Mandibular alveolar ridge extension method using a surgical splint with porous hydroxyapatite (HAP) particles

The mandibular alveolar ridge extension method is a surgical technique to extend the alveolar ridge up to the required level. Using a surgical splint prepared to meet the clinical requirements establishes the desirable alveolar ridge extension with porous hydroxyapatite (HAP) particles. Before the operation, a working cast of the extremely resorpted mandibular alveolar ridge is remodeled into its desired shape with paraffin wax, and the extended surgical splint is cured by clear acrylic resin. After subperiosteal tunnel dissection, the surgical splint is fixed to the mandible with circummandibular ligatures; then the HAP particles are injected into the tunnel. After healing, a treatment denture is cured between the artificial dentition and the surgical splint with self curing resin. In this method, the HAP particles are injected into the subperiosteal tunnel that is created between the surface of alveolar bone and the periosteum covered by the surgical splint; the migration of HAP particles completes the extension of the alveoral ridge.