Alveolar splitting with Piezosurgery®, bone bank grafts and NobelActive implants as an alternative to major bone grafting for maxillary reconstruction

BACKGROUND: Piezosurgery ® represents a novel alternative technique. The Piezosurgery ® is well tolerated and permits a large number of applications in described literature. The principle of Piezosurgery ® consists into inducing micro-vibrations to a metallic insert with a particular custom. The aim of this article is to study and to evaluate the use of NobelActive implants in combination with piezosurgical split-crest technique in severe atrophy of the upper maxilla. This approach allows avoiding the use of onlay grafts, due to rise the trasversal width of the crestal bone, which could have more complications and uncertain prognosis. This technique allows reducing timing of implant insertion because it is not necessary to wait for the graft to heal. METHODS: Ten patients (age 45-58) are selected, presenting from class 4 to 5 by Cawood and Howell of jaws. Those underwent piezosurgical split-crest technique and simultaneous implants surgery and bone grafts. Preoperative X-ray evaluation included standard X-panoramic and CT Dental-scan. Standard chemoprophylaxis was administered to each patient. The piezosurgical split-crest procedure was combined with tissue bank fresh frozen chips and double-layer collagen membrane to improve the thickness of alveolar bone and simultaneous implant surgery. Every patient received simultaneously from 3 to 6 implants which diameter was 4.3 mm and length 10-11.5 mm. Healing abutments have been applied at 5 months from the first procedure. RESULTS: Patients were clinically monitored, and marginal bone changes were calculated using periapical radiographs, which were taken with O-ring technique at placement and upon subsequent appointments and a 1-mm measurement grid for marginal bone remodeling, again at baseline and thereafter 3 months within loading. Cumulative implant survival was 97.8% (N.=45). Mean marginal bone resorption (SD) was 1.19 (1.01) mm for the early loading group after 1 year. The use of NobelActive implants seem to reduce peak stress in both cortical and trabecular bone. CONCLUSIONS: The use of NobelActive implants was revealed ideal in patients presenting jaw atrophy. The tapered designs show an ability to dissipate the interfacial stresses of bone, therefore improving the stability and the osteointegration if used in association to split crest made with piezosurgical device.