Augmentation of narrow ridges for implants rehabilitation--a review

The quantity of alveolar bone decreases mainly because of periodontal disease or loss of teeth causing bone resorption in both vertical and horizontal directions. Inadequate width of the alveolar ridge affects many parameters of implants placement and the final restoration. Placement of an implant in a narrow ridge without bone graft may harm the final esthetics and the long-term success of the implant rehabilitation. The purpose of this article is to review the basic principles of bone grafting and to discuss various grafting techniques for widening of the narrow ridge.