Supracrestal Bone Grafting Success With a Novel Application of an Absorbable Space-Maintaining Material

INTRODUCTIONDeveloping regenerated ridge form with resorbable materials has been difficult because of a lack of space-maintaining properties of available materials. Further combining the regeneration with the placement of implants to gain supracrestal ridge height can save the patient from additional procedures. This case series reports on the use of a shapeable, space-forming absorbable material in conjunction with implant placement, bone grafting, and allogenic dermal material. To our knowledge, this is the first implant site development application of this type of absorbable space-maintaining material. CASE SERIESCases were chosen from a larger group to demonstrate clinical outcomes and minor complication management. Patients with large ridge defects were treated with simultaneous implant placement and supracrestal bone reconstruction. CONCLUSIONSThese cases demonstrate a favorable outcome with a unique material borrowed from cranial reconstruction. With careful surgical technique, this material may be used to gain adequate bone in a defined form, and implant placement may be considered simultaneously.