The long-term clinical stability of implants placed with ridge splitting technique

Abstract

[한글]

[영문]The ridge splitting is used for expansion of insufficient width of residual ridge with adequate available vertical height. When the width of ridge is properly expanded, implants can be placed simultaneously. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical stability of implants placed with ridge splitting technique, through the investigation of the survival rate and marginal bone loss of implants.34 implants were placed in 20 patients with the ridge splitting technique. 8 implants were placed with non-submerged approach. 26 implants were placed with submerged approach. GBR and bone graft were applied in 13 implants.Prosthetic procedure was performed at on average 7.9 ± 3.0 months after placement. Average follow up period was 4.2 years ± 2.1 years. During an average follow up period of 4.2years, the cumulative survival rate of implants placed with the ridge splitting technique was 100%. The mean marginal bone loss of implants in this study was 1.57 ± 1.44mm at mesial side and 1.42 ± 1.48mm, at distal side. In non-submerged ITI® implants (n = 8), the mean marginal bone loss from rough surface was 1.17mm, 0.70mm on mesial and distal side, respectively. In submerged implants (n = 26), 1.74mm, 1.59mm on mesial and distal side, respectively. The difference between two groups was not statistically significant (p >0.05). Complications during implant placement surgery, buccal bone dehiscence, fenestration and buccal bone plate fracture, were occurred at 5 implants. In implants (n=5) with complications during implant placement surgery, The mean marginal bone loss was 1.73mm, 1.90mm on mesial and distal side, respectively. In implants without complications during implant placement surgery, the mean marginal bone loss was 1.57mm, 1.26mm on mesial and distal side, respectively. The difference between two groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Considering the results of this study, the ridge splitting technique has long term clinical stability to place implant at narrow alveolar ridge. However, this study has the limitation that the number of implant to be investigated in this study is small, the follow up period is not longer than other studies, and the study design is retrospective. Therefore, more researches are needed for evaluation the long term stability of ridge splitting technique.