Abstract
BACKGROUND: Remodelling of bone in the form of resorption generally follows the extraction of a tooth. During all stages of atrophy of the alveolar ridge, characteristic shapes result from the resorptive process, as influenced by anatomic alterations in the alveolar bone. Various ridge augmentation procedures have been documented as predictable means of establishing new vital bone for implant placement, out of which distraction osteogenesis is one such modality. Hence the following study has been conducted to evolve a surgico- prosthetic rehabilitation protocol in grossly atrophic alveolar ridge by distraction osteogenesis and subsequent implant placement and to provide an effective alternative to lost dental tissue to serving soldiers, their families and ex-servicemen of the Indian Army in a cost effective manner. METHODS: A total of 30 patients with ridge defects in age group between 18 to 70 years were selected for the study. The net success rate of distraction procedure was 93.33% (100% in maxilla and 80% in mandible) with 2 cases deemed as failures out of a total of 30 cases. The average amount of defect compensated was 76.1% (85.1% and 59.5% in maxilla and mandible respectively). RESULTS: For the implant surgical procedure the success rate was 100% and subsequently prosthetic rehabilitation on implants was proved to be successful. CONCLUSION: Distraction ostoeogenesis of an atrophied ridge for further implant placement certainly proves to be successful procedure by this study. Further studies in the same procedure using a larger sample size will definitely be more beneficial.