Palatal Bone Block Graft to Augment a Deficient Ridge

Case from Dr. Howad Gluckman, of Implant & Aesthetic Academy.A classic case in a missing lateral with a thin ridge and an even more severe deficiency mid and lower body. This is a case that can be treated with many different protocols from resorbable membranes, which in my hands would achieve a very small increase in bone, to a non resorbable titanium reinforced PTFE or Titanium Mesh which would achieve outstanding results. I chose the PBBG (Palatal Bone Block Graft) as there was a ton of palatal bone which was easily accessible as well as a Thin Gingival morphotype. I do not generally do non-resorbable membranes in thin gingiva whereas a bone block has been shown to work excellently in thin morphotypes. The turn over of the bone to natural bone is 3 months and will be exposed at that time. The screws will be left unless they become an aesthetic problem. This case case also features a new design Bone Block Holder available soon from Helmut ZEPF.