L- shape symphyseal autogenous bone block for alveolar ridge augmentation in anterior maxilla and mandible, a prospective single arm clinical study

Abstract Background Alveolar ridge augmentations are challenging procedures in dental implantology, especially in esthetic zone. 3D alveolar defects can be treated by guided bone regeneration (GBR), distraction osteogenesis, or bone blocks. This study introduces a new technique for 3D-alveolar ridge augmentation by using L-shape autogenous symphyseal bone block. Purpose This study aimed to assess both horizontal and vertical alveolar bone augmentation for severe atrophied anterior maxilla and mandible, using an L- shape autogenous bone block harvested from the symphysis. Patients and method elven partially edentulous patients who needed horizontal and vertical bone augmentation in the anterior maxilla or mandible before implant placement were selected for this study. For each patient, an autogenous bone block was harvested from the symphysis, trimmed to L-shape, and used to augment the anterior maxilla or mandible horizontally and vertically. Horizontal and vertical bone gain was measured by CBCT immediate postoperative and at 6months postoperatively. Results In this study, 14 L-shape bone blocks were grafted in 11 patients. The patients were 4males and 7females, with a mean age of 24.63years. Healing was uneventful for all patients with no sensory disturbance. The Mean of horizontal bone gain was 4.17 ± 0.77 mm immediate postoperative, and was 3.52 ± 0.75 after 6months. While, the mean of vertical bone gain was 6.51 ± 1.01 mm immediate postoperative, and was 4.74 ± 1.03after 6months. The mean of horizontal and vertical bone loss was 0.74 ± 0.24 mm and 1.62 ± 0.19 mm after 6 months, respectively. Conclusion Using L- shape autogenous bone block harvested from the symphysis for alveolar ridge augmentation is a safe, predictable and effective method for 3D ridge augmentation.