Alveolar ridge augmentation using a new design of inflatable tissue expander: surgical technique and preliminary...

Ridge augmentation with particulate hydroxyapatite (HA) is compromised by the propensity for the HA particles to disseminate throughout any surgically created space within the tissues. Several techniques designed to overcome this problem have been described, including the use of inflatable tissue expanders. Some of the residual problems related to this technique are attributable to aspects of expander design and surgical technique. This paper which describes a new design of tissue expander which is completely submerged in use, also describes in detail the surgical technique associated with it. Preliminary results are discussed.