Horizontal augmentation of the maxillary alveolar ridge to change the prosthetic profile: Clinical and radiological results of a retrospective study

Background In this retrospective study, we aimed to analyze the clinical and radiological results of compensating the long-term deficiencies in hard and soft tissues of edentulous patients by placing dental implants and performing a horizontal ridge augmentation. Material and methods We treated patients with edentulous maxillaries (Cawood–Howell type III or IV) by combining 4 implants, or 6 implants, or using zygomatic and conventional anterior implants as appropriate. Simultaneously, horizontal ridge augmentation was performed by combining autologous bone with Bio-Oss and membranes. Results A total of 14 zygomatic and 80 standard implants were used for the rehabilitations in 16 edentulous patients. The success rates were 93.75% and 85.71% for the standard and zygomatic implants, respectively. Also, respective gains of 5.79 mm and 3.25 mm were obtained at the levels of the midsagittal line and canines, with respective resorption rates of 10% and 8.6% after 20 months. Conclusion The millimeters gained by performing a horizontal augmentation optimizes the relation between the implant position and the prosthetic profile. This allows the different prostheses to be selected and for rehabilitation to be optimized. In this way, mucosal coverage can be avoided and fixed prosthetic design can be enhanced.