Simultaneous Ridge Augmentation and Accelerated Molar Uprighting for Implant Site Development: Two Case Reports with a Split-Mouth Design

Well-coordinated interdisciplinary dental treatments provide the best esthetic, functional, and long-term results for patients. However, the length of such treatment, which may involve orthodontics, ridge augmentation, and dental implants, often deters patients from pursuing them. The two case reports presented here aim to present the advantage of simultaneous orthodontic molar uprighting and ridge augmentation procedures for future implant site development. Selective decortication of the alveolar bone, performed simultaneously with bone grafting, can accelerate the tooth uprighting process and synergistically reduce treatment duration. Two cases with bilaterally missing mandibular first molars were treated with this approach. In both patients, surgically accelerated uprighting of molars occurred 1.6 times faster than the contralateral site, where no surgery was performed. Additionally, ridge augmentation was successfully achieved with 2.5 to 5 mm of horizontal bone gain during the molar uprighting process.