Comparison of Guided Bone Regeneration with Periosteal Pocket Flap Technique Versus Autogenous Bone Block Graft for Horizontal Bone Augmentation: A Clinical Trial Study

The aim of this study was to assess changes in the horizontal dimension of the alveolar ridge when the autogenous bone block (ABB) or periosteal pocket flap (PPF) techniques were performed prior to implant placement. This randomized trial study was conducted on 25 patients in need of horizontal bone augmentation, who were randomly divided into two groups as follows: 13 patients underwent ridge augmentation using ABB, allograft, and a collagen membrane, while the remaining 12 underwent horizontal bone augmentation via the PPF technique. For all patients, radiographic examinations via CBCT were performed both before and 26 weeks after the operation. Following the surgery, dimensional changes in the ridge width were measured both within and between the two groups in the three regions of 0, 3, and 5 mm from the top of the alveolar crest. A total of 11 patients in the ABB group and 12 patients in the PPF group successfully completed the study. Statistical analysis showed that the increase in alveolar ridge width in each group was significant, but not significantly different between the two groups at any of the measured spots (0 mm from the crest, P = .25; 3 mm, P = .38; and 5 mm, P = .73). However, more postoperative complications were observed with the ABB technique. According to the results of the present study, there was no statistically significant difference between the PPF and ABB techniques in terms of horizontal bone gain.