Cesar Luchetti
Department of Implant Dentistry. National University of La Plata. Argentina
Ridge splitting is a procedure used to expand the bone by separating the buccal and palatal plates.
Nasal cavity lift associated with implant placement is not a common procedure. However, is useful in some cases with ridge atrophy and a low nasal floor.
In this case, we use both approaches together, in order to have the possibility to place the implants.
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| Preoperatory situation. |
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Flap raised. An extremely atrophied ridge is observed.
Also, the nasal cavity is shown. (Black arrows) |
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| Doing the pituitary membrane lift using a curette. |
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| Doing the pituitary membrane lift using a curette. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Diamond disk used to perform the cut of the ridge to initiate the splitting. |
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| Making the cut using the disk. |
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| Initial ridge split. |
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| Ridge split after using the chisels. |
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| Final expansion using threaded expanders. |
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| Surgical sockets. |
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| Implants placed. |
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| Graft placed in the nasal cavity. (Black arrows) |
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| Graft placed between the expanded plates. |
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| Suture. |
