Ridge Split Technique with Simultaneous Implant Placement in the Upper Lateral Incisor Region: A Case Report

Abstract

This case report describes the successful application of the ridge split technique with simultaneous implant placement in the upper lateral incisor region of a 24-year-old male patient presenting with a hourglass shaped alveolar ridge. The patient exhibited inadequate bone width for conventional implant placement, necessitating ridge augmentation. The ridge split procedure was performed under local anesthesia, involving a controlled osteotomy and expansion of the alveolar ridge to achieve a width of 6.5 mm. A 3.5 mm diameter implant was placed concurrently, achieving primary stability. Postoperative cone-beam computed tomography confirmed optimal implant positioning and increased ridge width. After a 4-month osseointegration period, the implant was restored with a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, yielding excellent esthetic and functional outcomes. No complications, such as wound dehiscence or implant failure, were observed at the 12-month follow-up. This case highlights the efficacy of the ridge split technique as a minimally invasive approach for managing narrow alveolar ridges, facilitating immediate implant placement and predictable long-term results in the esthetic zone.