Alveolar Ridge Splitting: A New Microsaw Technique

Narrow dentoalveolar ridges remain a serious challenge for the successful placement of endosseous implants. This case series describes a modification of previous ridge-splitting techniques using a microsaw blade. The approach enables treatment of ridges as thin as 2.5 mm at the alveolar crest and simultaneous placement of dental implants. In one extreme case reported here, where the crest width was less than 2.5 mm, a two-stage approach was used; implants were placed about 1 month after ridge expansion. In the 10 patients treated in this series, 27 dental implants were placed and achieved successful integration.