Retrospective Case Series Analysis to Evaluate Ridge Augmentation Procedure Applied to Immediate Implant Placement in the Esthetic Zone: Five-Year Longitudinal Evaluation Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

Using simultaneous transplantation of bone graft materials, this study examined the long-term outcomes of a ridge augmentation technique applied to deficient labial alveolar bone plate in the esthetic zone. Results were based on a case series in which study cases (n = 10) were divided into two groups. Group 1 exhibited intact labial alveolar bone, while group 2 alveolar bone was dehiscent at the labial aspect. The clinical outcome was longitudinally monitored using cone beam computed tomography 4 to 7 years after the procedure. The final postoperative examination noted bone augmentation in labial bone width for groups 1 and 2 of 2.48 +/- 0.60 and 2.62 +/- 0.68 mm, respectively (Mann-Whitney U test, P = .40), indicating the effectiveness of this technique when applied to dehiscent labial bone. More importantly, these measurements did not significantly change during the last 2 to 4 years of follow-up monitoring, suggesting the success of this technique when applied to immediate implant placement.