The FACE Difficulty Scale Applied to a Retrospective Case Series of Vertical Bone Augmentation

Area of Science:

• Dental surgery
• Periodontology
• Regenerative medicine

Background:

• Vertical bone augmentation (VBA) complexity varies based on defect morphology and soft tissue.
• Accurate preoperative assessment is crucial for successful VBA outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the FACE scale as a preoperative tool for evaluating the anticipated surgical complexity of VBA procedures.
• To assess the preliminary correlation between FACE scale scores and complication rates in VBA.

Main Methods:

• The FACE scale assesses flap configuration, apical mucosa position, crestal bone peak alignment, and defect extent (scores 1-3 each).
• The scale was retrospectively applied to 43 VBA cases.
• Bilateral analyses were performed to associate FACE scores with complications.

Main Results:

• Complications occurred in 23.3% of cases, with overall success in 76.7%.
• A trend towards higher complication rates was noted with extensive defects (E3) and apical dehiscence (A3).
• Statistical significance for these trends was not reached in this preliminary study.

Conclusions:

• The FACE scale offers a structured framework for anticipating VBA surgical complexity by integrating defect and soft-tissue factors.
• Preliminary findings suggest higher FACE scores may correlate with increased complication rates.
• The FACE scale serves as a practical tool for surgical planning, risk assessment, and patient counseling in VBA.