Minimally Invasive Bone Expansion Using the Ridge Split Technique for Implant Site Modification: A Case Report

Adequate bone volume is essential for successful dental implant placement, providing primary stability and ensuring long-term functional and aesthetic outcomes. However, horizontal alveolar ridge deficiency is a common challenge in implant dentistry, making ideal implant placement difficult and compromising the final prosthetic result. To overcome this, several bone augmentation techniques have been developed, including lateral onlay bone grafting and guided bone regeneration (GBR). While effective, these methods often require a second surgical site for graft harvesting, involve longer healing times, and carry risks such as graft resorption, membrane exposure, and infection. The ridge split technique (RST) offers a minimally invasive alternative for horizontal ridge augmentation, allowing controlled splitting and lateral expansion of the alveolar ridge. This technique often permits simultaneous implant placement, reducing treatment time, eliminating the need for additional donor sites, and enhancing patient comfort. This case report describes the use of the RST for implant placement in a narrow posterior mandibular ridge. Despite the ridge being narrow, vertical bone height was adequate. A horizontal osteotomy was performed using chisels and a microsaw, followed by gradual expansion of the buccal cortical plate while preserving the periosteum to maintain blood supply. Dental implants were placed in the same surgical procedure, achieving primary stability by engaging the apical bone. Ridge splitting in the mandible requires careful case selection and surgical precision due to the dense cortical bone, which increases the risk of fracture. Nevertheless, with a controlled, stepwise approach, predictable and stable outcomes can be achieved. This case highlights the effectiveness of the RST as a safe, reliable, and minimally invasive option for managing horizontal ridge deficiencies in implant dentistry.