Ridge split and ridge expansion approach for treatment of deficient alveolar ridges: a contemporary review

Tooth loss and subsequent ridge collapse leading to narrowing of dentoalveolar ridges continues to burden the restorative implant treatment. Several techniques for ridge augmentation have been suggested such as guided bone regeneration, bone block grafting, ridge splitting, distraction osteogenesis etc. The ridge splitting predictably being a viable procedure wherein an atrophic ridge can be expanded & grafted, eliminating the need of second surgical site with minimal trauma to the patient and rare risk of injury to the vital anatomical structures. This article presents a detailed description of implant driven ridge split technique for ridge expansion procedures.