Modified approach for alveolar ridge augmentation in narrow maxillary anterior region by using screw-shaped bone expanders: A case report

Abstract

The objective of the present case report is to discuss the ridge expansion by using screw-shaped bone expanders in the narrow maxillary anterior region. A 24-year-old male subject was subjected to rehabilitate the #12 edentulous site with an implant-retained fixed prosthesis. Initially, a point drill of 1.5 mm diameter was used to initiate the osteotomy preparation to the depth of the implant length. After that, sequential screw-shaped bone expanders were used to expand the osteotomy progressively rather than cutting to the desired width of the implant. Finally, an implant was placed with an insertion torque of 35–40 N-cm. At the third month, a final prosthesis was placed and excellent esthetic was achieved. Conclusively, ridge split and expansion technique is a simple, less-invasive, and viable alternative to modify the ridge to make the prosthetic-driven implant placement rather than bone-driven and screw-shaped bone expanders to avoid the bone augmentation procedure and to reduce the overall treatment time.