Mandibular Ridge Splitting and Gradual Bone Expansion Technique for Immediate Placement of Implant in the Posterior Thin Region: A Clinical Report

Introduction: Narrow alveolar ridges especially in posterior mandibular remains a serious challenge for successful placement of endosseous implants. Case Presentation: This case report addresses surgical procedures for widening the atrophic ridge by means of splitting the crest of an edentulous ridge as thin as ۲.۵ mm and gradual expansion in the posterior mandibular ridge, then simultaneous placement of dental implants within the split ridge. A significant increase was achieved in the bone dimension, which enabled the placement of endosseous dental implants successfully. Discussion: This segmental ridge-split procedure with gradual bone expansion provides a quicker method wherein an atrophic ridge can be predictably expanded and eliminating the need for a second surgical site. This technique also shows that immediate implantation in split ridge of mandible can be performed.