Narrow ridge management with ridge splitting with piezotome for implant placement: report of 2 cases

Narrow dentoalveolar ridges remain a serious challenge for the successful placement of endosseous implants. Several techniques for this procedure may be considered, such as guided bone regeneration, bone block grafting, and ridge splitting for bone expansion. The ridge split procedure provides a quicker method wherein an atrophic ridge can be predictably expanded and grafted with bone allograft or allograft, eliminating the need for second surgical site. Traditionally, osseous surgery has been performed by either manual or motor-driven instruments. Piezosurgery is a relatively new technique for osteotomy and osteoplasty that utilizes ultrasonic vibration which allows clean cutting with precise incisions. This case series describes reports of 2 such cases in which narrow mandibular ridge splitting was carried by mean of piezotome with immediate placement of implants in the osteotomy site. Five months later, the implants were uncovered followed by impression and restored with impant- supported porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.