Guided and Prosthetically Driven Bone Augmentation Using the Shell Technique and Allogeneic Cortical Plate: A Prospective Case Series.

PURPOSE: To describe the use of digital technology to surgically guide the shell technique using allogenic cortical plates for a fully guided bone augmentation procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 10 patients who required bone augmentation for implant placement were included in this study. Allogenic cortical plates were planned using CAD/CAM to have identical thickness to the original cortical plates, then were digitally positioned and shaped to outline the bone defect according to the existing anatomical details. A cutting pattern and a surgical template were manufactured according to the digitally preplanned bone graft and the intraoral setting. RESULTS: A total of 12 horizontal bone grafting procedures were performed using the shell technique with allogenic cortical plates. All grafting procedures were deemed successful and allowed for ideal 3D implant positioning. Of the 12 bone grafting procedures, which used a surgical template to position the cortical plate, 3 required an adjustment to reposition the plate to a more ideal position. CONCLUSIONS: Digital technology was used to create a surgical template to guide the shell bone grafting technique with allogenic cortical plates. All surgical templates offered a fixed support to hold the cortical allogenic plate in the preplanned position, offering a predictable, simplified, and accurate guided bone grafting procedure. Further studies on a larger population of patients are necessary to assess those results and to verify the treatment approach described in this study.

MicroSaw and Piezosurgery in Harvesting Mandibular Bone Blocks from the Retromolar Region: A Randomized Split-Mouth Prospective Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: The aim of this randomized prospective split-mouth clinical trial was to evaluate the outcome of bone block harvesting from the retromolar region using the MicroSaw and Piezosurgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-three patients for extensive bilateral bone grafting procedures with or without concomitant implant placement in the maxilla and/or mandible were scheduled. In each patient, bone blocks were harvested in the retromolar area within the external oblique ridge of the mandible. Using a randomized protocol, bone blocks were harvested with the MicroSaw and Piezosurgery either from the right or the left side. Clinical outcome parameters were the comparison of osteotomy time; volume of block graft; and clinical determination of intraoperative complications such as hemorrhage, nerve injury, pain, swelling, and healing of the donor site. RESULTS: The mean osteotomy time for harvesting including luxating a bone block was 5.63 (± 1.37) minutes using the MicroSaw and 16.47 (± 2.74) minutes using Piezosurgery (P < .05). A mean graft volume of 1.62 (± 0.27) cm3 was measured with the MicroSaw and 1.26 (± 0.27) cm3 with the piezoelectric surgical device (P < .05). No heavy bleeding at the donor site occurred in any of the cases. Complications due to injury of adjacent teeth or nerve lesion of the mandibular nerve were not observed in any cases. According to a scale, there was little postoperative pain with both instruments, and it decreased within 14 days postoperatively (P > .05). Swelling did not appear significantly different either (P > .05), and none of the donor sites showed primary healing complications. CONCLUSION: The data described in this randomized prospective split-mouth clinical trial indicate that the MicroSaw and Piezosurgery allowed efficient and safe bone block harvesting from the external oblique ridge. Clinically, concerning harvesting time and volume of the grafts, the MicroSaw performed significantly better, whereas pain, swelling, and healing did not appear to be considerably different. Given the improved visibility, precise cut geometries, and the margin of safety afforded by the MicroSaw and Piezosurgery, they are both instruments of choice when harvesting bone from the retromolar area.

The Bone Core Technique for the Augmentation of Limited Bony Defects: Five-Year Prospective Study with a New Minimally Invasive Technique.

The aim of this study was to evaluate a new minimally invasive surgical technique for the reconstruction of critical-size bony defect with local harvested bone core with simultaneous implant placement. In a prospective study, 186 consecutively treated patients were included and controlled clinically and radiologically for at least 5 years postoperative. Every patient presented a bony defect affecting the buccal, lingual, or palatal wall. In all cases, the alveolar crest was wide enough to allow implant placement inside the bony contours. During implant bed preparation, a trephine bur (3.5 mm external diameter and 2.5 mm internal diameter) was used to harvest a bone core from the socket. After implant insertion, the buccal/palatal/lingual bony defect was grafted with bone chips covered with the bone core stabilized through compression with microscrews. After 3 months of healing, the implants and the grafted bone were exposed and the width of the grafted area was measured. After prosthetic restoration, the patients were recalled regularly. A total of 223 grafted sites were documented. Minor primary healing complications were observed in 3 sites (1.4%), all in smoker patients, and were treated locally without any influence on the prognosis. All other sites healed uneventfully. In 19 cases (4.4%), exposure of the screw heads was detected 1 to 3 months postoperatively without any inflammation or consequences for the grafted bone. The average width of the reconstructed area at the end of the grafting procedure was 2.4 ± 0.8 mm, and at the reentry, 2.1 ± 0.6 mm. There was a difference of remodeling between bone cores grafted totally inside or partially outside the bony contours. Bone cores grafted completely inside the bony contours demonstrated no resorption at 3 months postoperative, while bone cores grafted partially outside the bony contours in most cases showed partial resorption of the bone outside the bony contours. After 3 months of healing, all 223 implants had achieved primary healing and osseointegration and were restored after an average time of 4 months. No implant failed during the control period. According to this study, the use of an autogenous bone core harvested during the implant bed preparation is a simple and safe method for the reconstruction of small bone defects.