Author/Authors :
Aa’ad, Farah Department of Biomedical Surgical and Dental Sciences - Foundation IRCCS Ca Granda Polyclinic - University of Milan, Milan, Italy , Bellucci, Gionata Department of Biomedical Surgical and Dental Sciences - Foundation IRCCS Ca Granda Polyclinic - University of Milan, Milan, Italy , Ferrantino, Luca Department of Biomedical Surgical and Dental Sciences - Foundation IRCCS Ca Granda Polyclinic - University of Milan, Milan, Italy , Trisciuoglio, Davide Department of Biomedical Surgical and Dental Sciences - Foundation IRCCS Ca Granda Polyclinic - University of Milan, Milan, Italy , Taschieri, Silvio Department of Biomedical Surgical and Dental Sciences - IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute - University of Milan, Milan, Italy , Del Fabbro, Massimo Department of Biomedical Surgical and Dental Sciences - IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute - University of Milan, Milan, Italy
Abstract :
-is pilot study aimed at investigating the safety and feasibility of pre-augmentation soft tissue expansion (STE). Tissue expanders
of different sizes (from 240 to 1300 mm3
) were implanted subperiosteally in four patients requiring vertical and/or horizontal bone
augmentation, and left in situ for 20–60 days, according to the expander size. Guided bone regeneration was carried out after STE
completion. Horizontal and vertical bone gains were analyzed through CBCT. Optical scanning and superimposition of cast
models were used for volumetric analysis. -e mean soft tissue volume increase was 483.8 ± 251.7 mm3
. Horizontal bone gain
averaged 3 mm in two successfully expanded sites while one case had a vertical bone gain of 8 mm. Despite promising outcomes in
bone and soft tissue gain, the present technique needs improvement before being applied routinely in everyday dental practice.
