Vertical Alveolar Ridge Augmentation: A Technique for Stabilizing Bone Grafts in the Atrophic Maxilla with Simultaneous Implant Placement

Achieving adequate fixation of bone blocks harvested from the mandibular symphysis and used in conjunction with dental implants has been a continuing challenge. In response, the Authors developed a method of using the implant itself to stabilize the graft material in single-implant sites in severely resorbed alveolar ridges. This technique was utilized to place 19 standard implants in 15 patients. After 12 to 60 months of clinical and radiological follow-up, all implants had survived, a success rate of 100%. Measurements of the radiographs showed bone loss of 1.70 mm ± 0.4 mm.