Classification of the Alveolar Ridge Width: Implant-Driven Treatment Considerations for the Horizontally Deficient Alveolar Ridges
Among many techniques advocated for the horizontally deficient alveolar ridges, ridge-split has many advantages. Here, treatment management strategies of the horizontally collapsed ridges, especially the ridge-split approach, are discussed and a clinically relevant implant-driven classification of the alveolar ridge width is proposed, with the goal to assist an operator in choosing the proper bone augmentation technique. Comparison and advantages of two commonly used techniques, ridge-split and block bone graft, are presented.
Figure 1. Cone beam computerized tomography scan of the horizontally deficient edentulous maxillary alveolar ridge. Alveolar bone width and height, as well as thickness of the buccal and palatal cortical and medullary bone are demonstrated. This alveolar ridge is a class III ridge according to the classification presented in the article. Figure 2. Axial cone beam computerized tomography scan of the horizontally collapsed edentulous right maxillary alveolar ridge showing varied thickness of the alveolar ridge.
Figure 3. Intraoperative photograph of the ridge-split procedure demonstrating the mobilization and repositioning of the buccal muco-osteo-periosteal flap. Figure 4. Intraoperative photograph of the ridge-split procedure that is done simultaneously with the implant insertion.
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