lateral ridge split and immediate implant placement in moderately resorbed alveolar ridges: how much is the added width?

background: lateral ridge split technique is a way to solve the problem of the width in narrow ridges with adequate height. simultaneous insertion of dental implants will considerably reduce the edentulism time. materials and methods: twenty-five patients who were managed with ridge splitting technique were enrolled. thirty-eight locations in both jaws with near equal distribution in quadrants received 82 dental fixtures. beta tricalcium phosphate (cerasorb®) was used as biomaterial to fill the intercortical space. submerged implants were used and 3 months later healing caps were placed. direct bone measurements before and after split were done with a collis. patients were clinically re-evaluated at least 6 months after implant loading. all the data were analyzed by statistical package for social sciences (spss) software version 11.5 (spss inc, chicago illinois, usa). frequency of edentulous spaces and pre/post operative bone width was analyzed. paired t -test was used for statistical analysis. difference was considered significant if p value was less than 0.05. results: mean value for presplit width was 3.2 ± 0.34 mm while post-split mean width was 5.57 ± 0.49 mm. mean gain in crest ridge after ridge splitting was 2 ± 0.3 mm. statistical analysis showed significant differences in width before and after operation (( p < 0.05). all implants ( n = 82) survived and were in full function at follow up (at least 6 months after implant loading). conclusion: ridge splitting technique in both jaws showed the predictable outcomes, if appropriate cases selected and special attention paid to details; then the waiting time between surgery and beginning of prosthodontic treatment can be reduced to 3 month. key words: atrophic ridge, dental implant, ridge splitting