Horizontal Maxillary Ridge Augmentation Using Autogenous Bone Blocks With and Without Collagen Membranes: A...

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Regenerative Dentistry
• Bone Grafting Techniques

Background:

• Atrophic maxillary alveolar ridges pose challenges for dental implant placement.
• Symphyseal onlay blocks are used for horizontal bone augmentation.
• The role of collagen membranes in this procedure requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of collagen membrane coverage versus no coverage for symphyseal onlay blocks in horizontal maxillary alveolar ridge augmentation.
• To evaluate bone quantity, graft resorption, and bone quality post-augmentation.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 30 patients with atrophic maxillary alveolar ridges.
• Symphyseal onlay blocks were used, augmented with a xenograft-autograft mixture.
• Test group received collagen membrane coverage; control group did not.
• Bone thickness, graft resorption, and histomorphometric analysis were performed at 6 months.

Main Results:

• Significantly greater horizontal bone gain was observed in the collagen membrane group (test) compared to the control group.
• The test group exhibited significantly less graft resorption.
• Histomorphometric analysis revealed higher mature bone percentage and bone area in the test group.

Conclusions:

• Collagen membrane coverage over symphyseal onlay bone blocks significantly enhances horizontal bone augmentation.
• This technique improves bone quality and quantity, reducing graft resorption.
• The findings support the use of collagen membranes for superior outcomes in alveolar ridge augmentation.