Evolution of implant placement in narrow alveolar ridge using Versah Drills

Objective: The study was designed to evaluate implant placement in narrow alveolar ridge using Versah Drills. Subjects and methods: The study included 20 patients, 12 females and 8 males. Patients were selected from the Outpatient Clinic of Oral and Maxillofacial Department, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Al Azhar University, Cairo, Boys. All patients have insufficient edentulous alveolar ridge width in need for implant placement to facilitate rehabilitation of the missing teeth. Data collected in form of diagnosis for the patients suspected to be good candidates for implant placement. A case history was taken including screening of systemic diseases and medications in details. Then, extra- and intra-oral clinical examinations were performed including checking of the occlusion and monitoring of his/her oral hygiene status. If the patient was clinically indicated for implant placement, a CBCT scan was done to review the bone density, alveolar ridge width and the height of alveolar bone in the area of implant placement and the anatomical structures in the area of surgery. Results: After immediately postoperative, 3 and 6 months, there was no statistically significant difference of bone density and ridge width between the mean immediate post-operative value, the value at 3 months, and the value at 6 months post-operatively. There was a statistically significant difference of marginal bone loss between the mean immediate post-operative value, the value at 3 months, and the value at 6 months post-operatively. Conclusion: Versah drills may allow expansion of the alveolar ridge bucco-lingually in an easier and less invasive way than the traditional surgical techniques.