Simultaneous or staged lateral ridge augmentation: A clinical guideline on the decision-making process

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Periodontology
• Dental Implantology

Background:

• Lateral ridge augmentation is a common procedure for bone reconstruction in the jaw.
• It can be performed either before implant placement (staged) or at the same time (simultaneous).
• The choice between these approaches depends on various patient and surgical factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a decision-making process for selecting between staged and simultaneous lateral ridge augmentation.
• To provide a clinical guideline based on current evidence and expert experience.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on lateral ridge augmentation techniques and outcomes.
• Analysis of variables influencing the choice of surgical timing.
• Development of a structured decision-making algorithm.

Main Results:

• The guideline considers factors such as bone defect morphology, patient health, and treatment goals.
• It outlines specific criteria for favoring a staged or simultaneous approach.
• The proposed process aims to optimize treatment predictability and outcomes.

Conclusions:

• A systematic approach can guide the selection of the most appropriate timing for lateral ridge augmentation.
• This decision-making process supports evidence-based practice in implant dentistry.
• Tailoring the surgical timing improves the success of dental implant rehabilitation.