Minimally invasive guided bone regeneration

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is indicated when there is a volume deficiency of the residual ridge that prohibits implantation or optimal implant installation for esthetic and functional needs. Our objective is to describe a new minimally invasive GBR and report its clinical application in several patients. A vertical incision is made mesial to the augmentation zone. The periosteum is initially elevated with a miniature chisel, and then through a series of sequential balloon inflations. This yields a tunnel with adequate space for membrane insertion, decortication, and grafting with substitute bone and platelet rich fibrin (PRF) filling. Primary closure is obtained by 2 or 3 simple interrupted sutures. Vertical and horizontal gains were measured on computerized tomography obtained before and 5 to 6 months after the procedure. Eleven patients were treated with this procedure. There were no significant adverse events. The range of vertical gain was 2.4 to 5.1 mm, while horizontal gain measured 1.3 to 3.9 mm. Implants were successfully placed in 6 patients.