Augmentation procedures of the jaw in patients with inadequate bone for dental implants: radiographic appearance.

Dental implants, metallic posts surgically imbedded in the jaw to support dental prostheses, have provided an attractive alternative to standard removable dentures. Some patients, however, have insufficient bone to accommodate these implants. In this setting, a number of surgical procedures are available to augment the bone in the jaw. It is important for radiologists to be familiar with these procedures because the altered anatomy can be a source of confusion to the unwary. The objective, therefore, was to describe these procedures and their radiographic appearances.