Horizontal ridge augmentation using human mineralized particulate bone: Preliminary results

Purpose: We evaluated the hypothesis that particulate human mineralized bone can be used to augment the thin mandibular ridge followed by implant placement 4 months after augmentation. The thin ridge prevents implant placement without grafting. Patients and Methods: Eleven consecutive patients with thin posterior mandibular ridges had approximately 1 cc of particulate human mineralized bone placed through a tunneling approach to augment the ridge width. Thirty-five implants were placed into 13 ridges after graft consolidation, with 1 implant failure. Results: All grafted ridges were able to have at least a 3.25 mm diameter implant placed. One implant failed to integrate. One-year follow-up indicates stability of the augmentation. Conclusion: This preliminary report indicates the potential for this technique to substitute for more invasive procedures. (C) 2004 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.