Abstract:

Objective　To evaluate the application and the effect of edentulous ridge expansion(ERE) technique inmaxil- lary endossenous implant placement.Methods　49 patientswith maxillary alveolar ridge atrophy received edentulous ridge expan- sion using condenser. In order to be similar to natural root, dental implantswere selected and placed to tooth missed sites accord- ing to the requirements of aesthetics, function and dimension.Results　49 patients with atrophied alveolar ridge received 86 im- plants. The labio-lingual width augmented from 3·3 to 5·4 mm and the alveolar ridge height from 2 to 7 mm 6 months after opera- tion. The implants osseointergrated tightly with alveolar bone and second-step prosthesis was performed 6 months after implant placement.Conclusion　The edentulous ridge expansion technique can meet the requirements of aesthetics and function and is applicable to endossenous implant placement in maxilla. The method is simple and valuable to clinical application.

Key words: edentulous ridge expansion(ERE), maxilla, endossenous implant placement