A Novel Approach to Bone Reconstruction: The Wafer Technique

This study presents a novel technique based on guided bone regeneration and onlay grafts for three-dimensional bone augmentation. This two-stage technique uses an autogenous cortical bone plate and collagen membranes to form a barrier containing a mixture of deproteinized bovine bone matrix, autologous blood, and bone grafted from intraoral sites. Five patients were treated. At 6 months postsurgery, a mean increase in bone volume of 1,062 mm3 was shown. Mean maximum linear augmentation was 3.65 mm. Histologic analysis of the regenerated areas revealed the presence of compact newly formed bone with no sign of inflammation. A total of 13 implants were placed. The patients were satisfied, and complications were not observed.