Implant Stability and Marginal Bone Changes Associated with Different Staged Ridge-splitting Techniques Using Piezoelectric Surgery in Atrophic Posterior Mandible:A Comparative Study.

Aim: The ridge-splitting technique is considered one of the common solutions for horizontal ridge augmentation. The study evaluated implant stability and marginal bone loss after two vs three staged ridge-splitting technique.

Materials and methods: Twelve dental implants were inserted into 10 patients through staged ridge-splitting approach. In group I, six dental implants were inserted through a full mucoperiosteal flap reflection and bony incision. After 3 weeks, a closed buccal plate expansion and grafting were done, with sequential implant insertion 3 months later. While in group II, six dental implants were inserted through the same procedure as the first stage. Then bone expansion, grafting, and implant insertion were made at the second stage. All implants were loaded after 3 months and assessed clinically regarding implant stability and radiographically through marginal bone loss.

Results: One-way ANOVA test was used. Implant stability quotient (ISQ) values showing highly significant difference (p = 0.003) were recorded at implant placement. In contrast, no statistically significant differences were recorded among the studied groups at the other assessment time intervals (p = 0.219, 0.366, and 0.394, respectively). Meanwhile, group II reported lower marginal bone loss values than group I with a highly significant difference between both groups over all assessment time intervals (p = 0.001, 0.008, and 0.002, respectively).

Conclusion: Two staged ridge-splitting technique offered a shorter treatment time with lower marginal bone loss and comparable implant stability.

Clinical significance: Two-staged ridge-splitting technique provided less patients' recall visits with a less surgical intervention than the three-staged technique. This may be prospectively reflected in further research for its clinical merits. How to cite this article: Elsaieed MT, El-belasy FA, Ibraheim SA, et al. Implant Stability and Marginal Bone Changes Associated with Different Staged Ridge-splitting Techniques Using Piezoelectric Surgery in Atrophic Posterior Mandible: A Comparative Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(7):661-668.