Tooth shell versus bone shell technique for horizontal maxillary alveolar ridge augmentation.

Background: This study was designed to evaluate the clinical and radiographical outcome of tooth shell for maxillary alveolar ridge augmentation as an alternative to traditional autogenous bone shell graft.

Materials and methods: Twenty eight patients with one or two maxillary extracted teeth (esthetic zone) in need for horizontal bone augmentation were divided into two groups (14 patients each). Group I (control group): bone augmentation was done by using bone shell technique (BST). Group II (study group): bone augmentation was done by using tooth shell technique (TST). Implant stability was evaluated at the time of implant placement, after 4 months (loading time), and 4 months after loading. Radiographic evaluation was made using Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans before grafting (T0), immediately (T1), and 6 months post grafting (T2).

Results: In this study, 30 implants were inserted in the esthetic zone. All implants were successfully osseointegrated. No statistically significant difference was found between the studied groups as regards implant stability (P > 0.05) assessed baseline, 4 months after implant placement, and 4 months after loading. The radiographic evaluation demonstrated a statistically significant lower median amount of graft resorption at 1 mm, 5 mm, and 10 mm & total among the study than the control group (p = 0.001, 0.001, 0.04 & 0.001 respectively).

Conclusion: TST used for lateral ridge augmentation has excellent dimensional stability and the least amount of graft resorption.

Trial registration: This study was retrospectively registered on www.

Clinicaltrials: gov with registration number (NCT06416605) on 16 /5 /2024.