Evaluation of autogenous mandibular bone block resorption in horizontal alveolar ridge augmentation

Objective: To perform a prospective evaluation of splitted bone block resorption after augmentation procedure using cone beam computed tomography, and evaluation of clinical results.

Methods: Bone blocks were harvested from the external oblique line of the mandible in 100 patients aged from 23 to 68 years, (64 females and 36 males). All of them underwent ridge augmentation using splitted bone blocks (SBB) technique. Three CBCT scans series were performed for each patient: before bone augmentation, at 14 days and 4 months after the surgical procedure. Alveolar crest dimensions were evaluated using s Ez3Dplus software ('Vatech', Seoul, Korea).

Results: Splitted bone blocks have shown low rate of graft resorption and high predictability. The mean horizontal and vertical bone loss between 2 and 16 weeks was 9.6%. The number of implants with insertion torque ≥35 N/cm was 94.4%. Statistical studies did not reveal significant differences by sex and age, as well as the width of the ridge before the operation.

Conclusions: Autogenous bone blocks is a predictable option for the augmentation of the narrow alveolar crest. Splitted bone blocks provided effective alveolar restoration prior to implant placement. Further studies are needed to improve the outcomes of bone grafting.