The nasal spine suture: A novel approach for membrane stabilization.

BACKGROUND: Current evidence acknowledges guided bone regeneration (GBR) as a predictable therapeutic modality in the augmentation of a deficient alveolar ridge. Such deficiencies often reveal inadequate bone volume to support implant placement in a position amenable to prosthetic reconstruction. Additionally, an evolving body of literature demonstrates that membrane fixation may lead to improved clinical bone gain through positively influencing blood clot formation, stability, and the eventual osteogenic potential of the defect. Alternative benefits to membrane fixation, such as reduced graft displacement and reduction in wound micromotion, have also been cited as mechanisms for an increased regenerative response. METHODS AND RESULTS: The aim of this report was to present a case, including diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up for the reconstruction of a horizontal ridge deficiency. The patient's deficiency in ridge volume was found to be a developmental sequelae of lateral incisor agenesis, resulting in an underdeveloped midfacial region of the alveolar process subjacent to sites #7 and #10. The fixation protocol outlined in this report demonstrated adequate horizontal ridge augmentation to facilitate future prosthetic reconstruction with the use of implants. CONCLUSIONS: Numerous protocols have been established in an attempt to achieve effective barrier membrane stabilization for bone augmentation procedures. However, some techniques are poorly suited for the anatomically challenging region of the anterior maxilla. A case report describing the utilization of the anterior nasal spine for anchorage of a membrane-stabilizing suture may present a novel, safe, and effective technique for stabilizing the intended region of augmentation, as well as preventing graft migration beyond the membrane-maxilla interface. Key points Regarding guided bone regeneration (GBR) procedures, micromotion of the membrane or of the underlying particulate graft may negatively influence the volume of the augmented site. The ability to adequately stabilize the graft-membrane interface is recognized as a necessary prerequisite to predictably achieve optimal surgical outcomes. To the authors' knowledge, there is no clinical or scientific evidence regarding the use of the anterior nasal spine for membrane anchorage in maxillary GBR procedures, and thus a novel approach to membrane stabilization is introduced.

Protocol for ridge preservation at severely compromised extraction sockets: Consecutive case series.

BACKGROUND: The physiologic bone remodeling accompanying tooth extraction is a phenomenon well described in the dental literature. Extraction sockets severely compromised by local infection, trauma, iatrogenesis, or other factors may exhibit enhanced reduction in alveolar dimensions during healing. The purpose of this report is to present an alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) protocol specifically intended for use at severely compromised sites. METHODS: Seven patients presented to the Department of Periodontics, Army Postgraduate Dental School, Fort Gordon, Georgia, requiring extraction of teeth with partial or near-complete loss of the facial/buccal cortex. At each site, a cross-linked bovine collagen membrane was used to prevent collapse of the facial/buccal soft tissue and maintain space, a freeze-dried bone allograft was applied in the socket, and a dense polytetrafluoroethylene membrane covered the occlusal aspect. RESULTS: All sites healed uneventfully and resulted in favorable alveolar ridge dimensions for implant placement. CONCLUSION: Few authors have proposed specific ARP methods for managing severely deficient extraction sockets. The predominant recommendation has been staged reconstruction of the site applying hard and soft tissue augmentation. Observations reported herein suggest that staged reconstruction is avoidable at some extraction sockets exhibiting severe alveolar compromise. Controlled clinical investigation of this protocol appears warranted. KEY POINTS: Few authors have proposed alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) methods specifically intended for use at severely compromised extraction sockets. The prevailing recommendation at such sites is a staged protocol involving tooth extraction with delayed hard and soft tissue augmentation. The presented bilaminar ARP technique may eliminate the need for staged reconstruction at some severely compromised extraction sockets.