Edentulous Space Closure Using a Clear Aligner System After Alveolar Ridge Split Augmentation

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Orthodontics
• Oral Surgery

Background:

• Adult orthodontic tooth movement in atrophic posterior mandibular alveolar ridges presents significant challenges.
• Mandibular alveolar ridge atrophy, often due to congenital tooth absence, complicates aesthetic orthodontic solutions.

Observation:

• A young adult female with a congenitally missing lower incisor exhibited mandibular alveolar ridge atrophy.
• The patient sought an aesthetic orthodontic correction for her condition.

Findings:

• A combined surgical and orthodontic approach was employed, utilizing the alveolar ridge splitting technique with piezosurgery for bone augmentation.
• Orthodontic corrections were successfully executed using a clear aligner system.
• The integrated treatment minimized risks associated with orthodontic movement in the atrophic edentulous space.

Implications:

• This case highlights the efficacy of combining piezosurgery-assisted bone augmentation with clear aligner orthodontics for managing adult mandibular alveolar ridge atrophy.
• The described method offers a minimally invasive, comfortable, and time-efficient solution for complex orthodontic cases.
• This approach can significantly improve aesthetic outcomes and patient satisfaction in cases of severe alveolar ridge defects.