A retrospective study of ridge expansion with guided bone regeneration in dental implantation

Objective: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of ridge expansion combined with guided bone regeneration(GBR) for implantation in narrow alveolar ridge. Methods: 55 patients(35 males and 20 females) aged 18 to 60(mean 36. 3) years old with insufficient alveolar ridge were treated with ridge expansion combined with GBR. A total of 83 implants were placed during surgery. After a mean 6. 9(4. 0- 20. 7) months of unloaded healing,the implants were connected to abutments and 56 prosthesis,including 28 single crowns,8 combination crowns,5 cantilever fixed bridges,13 partial bridges and 2 implant-supported overdentures. The patients were followed up for 0. 5- 7. 5 years. Results: Labial bony plate fractured in 2 cases(3. 6%) during surgery. 4 patients(7. 5%) were lost to follow-up after prosthetic loading. No implant was lost in follow-up,yielding a 8-year survival rate of 100%. The average marginal bone loss at the last follow-up was 2. 57 mm. 10 implant-supported restorations were involved in prosthetic complications. Conclusion: Ridge expansion with GBR is effective for dental implantation in patients with insufficient alveolar ridge.