The Use of Cortical Bone Wedges from the Mandibular Ramus “Wedge Technique” for 3-Dimensional Bone Augmentation of the Atrophic Ridges

Abstract

Autogenous bone is still considered the gold standard in bone augmentation for implant insertion in atrophic ridges. However, augmentation of multiple edentulous atrophic segments usually necessitates the use of extraoral donor sites. This chapter introduces the Wedge Technique, as a new bone augmentation method that can augment multiple edentulous ridges with intraoral cortical bone grafts. Patients with moderate to severe ridge atrophy in different regions of the jaws were treated with the wedge technique (WT). Patients received a panoramic radiograph immediately after the surgery, and they were examined clinically and radiographically (periapical radiograph) every 2 weeks. At four months, CBCT was performed to evaluate the bone gain. Reentry was performed after 4 to 5 months to evaluate the new bone volume and quality and to insert implants. The follow-up period ranged from 30 to 120 months. The healing process was uneventful, with minimal morbidity. The success rate was 95%, the bone gain average was 3–6 mm vertically and 3–9 mm horizontally. The wedge technique can augment multiple segments of atrophic ridges with a small amount of autogenous graft. The achieved bone volume was satisfying, especially that the majority of the augmented areas were at posterior mandibular defects.