Comparison between immediate vs. delayed lateral expansion technique to augment narrow alveolar ridges for placement of implants - A pilot study.

Objective: Narrow alveolar ridges pose a serious challenge for successful placement of endosseous implants and alveolar ridge widening procedure is indicated in cases of crest thickness of ≤4.0 mm. The study evaluated and compared, immediate and delayed techniques of implant placement using split crest technique to augment atrophic narrow alveolar ridges.