This study evaluated the efficacy of buccal fat pad (BFP) as a natural barrier to cover nonresorbable devices for vertical ridge augmentation (VRA). Twelve consecutive patients with 14 vertical bone defects in need of bone augmentation for implantprosthetic rehabilitation were treated according to the described protocol. VRA was performed by means of customized titanium meshes, titanium-reinforced d-PTFE membranes, or resorbable membranes and titanium plates. After buccal flap release, the BFP was identified and isolated, then mesially and coronally advanced to cover the whole augmented area. BFP was used as a pedicle flap in 11 cases and as a free graft in 3 cases. The mean BFP surface area was 13.5 ± 5.5 cm2. Healing was uneventful in all 14 augmented sites. No patients reported healing complications or facial volumetric changes. The mean vertical bone gain (VBG) was 4.2 ± 1.8 mm. In this limited number of cases, using the BFP as a natural barrier has proven to be efficient in bone augmentation, as it improved the healing process while reducing the risk of complications.
