Complications following alveolar ridge augmentation procedures

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Periodontology
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Alveolar ridge deficiencies are common after tooth loss, necessitating ridge augmentation procedures (RAP) for successful dental implant placement.
• While RAP techniques and biomaterials are established, unpredictable outcomes and post-surgical complications can compromise ideal ridge dimensions and patient quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review and categorize post-surgical complications associated with ridge augmentation procedures (RAP).
• To explore complications specifically related to particulate bone graft substitutes used in RAP.
• To discuss current strategies for preventing and managing these complications.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of reported post-surgical complications following ridge augmentation procedures.
• Categorization of complications based on tissue type, function, aesthetics, healing time, biomaterial type, and surgical protocol.
• Focused analysis on complications arising from the use of particulate bone graft substitutes.

Main Results:

• Complications can occur during early or late wound healing phases, impacting ridge dimensions and functional/aesthetic outcomes.
• Specific complications are analyzed across various classifications, including those related to different biomaterials and surgical techniques.
• Particulate bone graft substitutes are explored for their associated complication profiles.

Conclusions:

• Understanding and categorizing RAP complications is essential for improving predictability in oral rehabilitation.
• Effective management and prevention strategies are crucial for optimizing outcomes and enhancing patient quality of life.
• Further research into biomaterials and surgical protocols may reduce complication rates in ridge augmentation.