A modified ridge Expansion technique in the maxilla.

Localized ridge expansion of a deficient edentulous maxillary alveolar ridge segment is a useful technique when the goal of surgery is to provide an increase in ridge width as a means of establishing an adequate alveolar crest capable of receiving endosseous implants. The purpose of this article is to describe several modifications to the original ridge-splitting technique for deficient maxillary ridges. These modifications include full-thickness flap reflection, elimination of vertical intraosseous incisions, and simultaneous incorporation of guided bone regeneration. The modifications help to decrease complications associated with the original ridge-splitting technique while increasing the predictability of ridge augmentation in the buccal-palatal dimension. A case is presented that demonstrates the efficacy of the modified technique.