Successful placement of implants in complete or partly edentulous patients requires sufficient alveolar ridge width. Horizontal bone augmentation increases ridge width.

Conventional approaches include screwing an autogenous bone block into remaining lingual/palatinal walls or stimulating new bone formation under form-stable membranes.

Autogenous bone blocks

Autogenous bone blocks are the material of choice to compensate insufficient bone width. Extensive resorption, however, can result in functional and aesthetic failures¹.

Contouring the bone block with Geistlich Bio-Oss^® and covering the augmented area with Geistlich Bio-Gide^® considerably reduces graft shrinkage².

Form-stable membranes

An alternative GBR approach to obtain more bone width uses form-stable titanium-reinforced membranes, which generate space for bone formation³. However, due to their material properties they are associated with impaired healing of the overlaying soft tissue and are non-resorbable, so require a second surgery for their removal⁴.

In order to overcome this complication, Geistlich Bio-Gide^® can be used to completely immobilise and protect a particulated bone graft, thus leading to horizontal augmentations⁵:

• Geistlich Bio-Gide^® is fixed securely with pins on the lingual/palatinal and buccal side
• Packed compactly with autogenous bone chips and Geistlich Bio-Oss^® granules, creating a sausage skin effect
• Graft material is completely immobilised and stable

Geistlich Bio-Gide^® collagen membrane provides a viable replacement for non-resorbable barriers and does not require secondary surgery.

References:

1. Maiorana C, et al.: Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent 2005; 25(1): 19-25.
2. Maiorana C, et al.: Open Dent J 2011; 5: 71-78.
3. Schlegel KA, et al.: Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2003; 18(1): 53-58.
4. Jensen T, et al.: Clin Oral Implants Res 2012; 23(8): 902-10.
5. Proussaefs P, et al.: Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2002; 17(2): 238-48.
6. Proussaefs P, et al.: Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent 2006; 26(1): 43-51.
7. von Arx T & Buser D: Clin Oral Implants Res 2006; 17(4): 359-66.