Lateral Alveolar Ridge Expansion in the Anterior Maxilla Using Piezoelectric Surgery for Immediate Implant Placement

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the ridge-splitting technique in the anterior maxilla, using piezoelectric surgery for immediate implant placement. Study outcomes were compared with those of implant placement in the same patients using the conventional drilling technique.

Ten patients received a total of 22 implants in the anterior maxilla, 11 of which were placed using a ridge-splitting procedure (test group) and the other 11 using the conventional drilling procedure (control group). Ridge width (RW), crestal bone level (BL), and implant stability quotient (ISQ) were measured at different points in time. Data were analyzed and compared between the groups using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and paired-sample t tests at a significance level of 5%.

For the test group, the gain in RW was not stable in time because at 6 months postoperatively, the RW lost some of the initial gain; however, the net gain was still significant. At 6 months postoperatively, BL was similar for both groups. The net bone loss on the mesial aspect and the average of the mesial and the distal measures did not differ significantly between both groups. ISQ values sharply increased at 3 months postoperatively in the test group. All implants met the modified Albrektsson criteria (1989) for success.

The results from this study support the efficacy and safety of ridge expansion using piezoelectric surgery for implant insertion in the anterior maxilla. The modest net gain in bone width suggests that additional hard and soft tissue augmentation may be necessary, especially in the esthetic zone. ISQ values suggest a minimum healing time of 3 months before loading the implants that have been inserted using this ridge-splitting protocol.