What does “Alveolar ridge splitting” mean?
Alveolar ridge splitting widens a narrow ridge by dividing and expanding the bone at a planned implant site. It is also called ridge split surgery; these names describe the same procedure.
Not every narrow ridge can be widened in the same way
Assessment includes bone shape and density, the remaining walls, and nearby anatomy, not simply how narrow the ridge is. Excessive expansion can cause an unintended split or fracture of a bone plate. Examination and imaging help determine suitability.
Discuss splitting and implant timing separately
Implants may be placed during splitting or after healing, depending on whether stable anchorage and an appropriate restorative position can be achieved. Graft material or another reconstructive method may also be needed. Ridge splitting alone does not promise a same-day restoration.
Check the resulting width and healing
Reported complications include bone-plate fracture, wound opening or exposure, infection, and altered sensation. Confirm follow-up and how to contact the team about problems. Average width gains or survival rates from studies cannot predict your individual result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ridge splitting remove the need for a bone graft?
Not always. The expanded space, remaining bone walls, and amount of reconstruction needed may require graft material or another augmentation method as well.
Can this solve any very thin ridge?
Thinness alone does not establish suitability. The team assesses bone structure, expansion risks, and the required restorative position before choosing splitting or another staged reconstruction.
Questions about ridge width and surgical options
Learn what the term means and how it relates to your dental condition.
- Sufficient understanding
Is my bone suitable for ridge splitting?
Explanation and evidenceAsk to review the width, height, bone walls, and surrounding structures on your images and compare other augmentation methods.
Systematic review of ridge splitting outcomes and complications (2023) - A choice suited to your condition
What happens if simultaneous placement is unsuitable or a bone plate is damaged?
Explanation and evidenceDiscuss changes based on stability and the bone walls, additional grafting, and the option of placing an implant after healing has been reassessed.
CUH NHS: Bone grafting for dental implants
