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. 2023 Mar 10;11(3):843. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines11030843

Table 1.

Types of Alveolar Bone Regeneration Treatment.

Type Summary Application Characteristics
Sinus lift Sinus lift is a technique used to place implants in the back teeth of the upper jaw after the bone thickness has been supplemented. Sinus lift is an alveolar bone regeneration technique performed when the maxillary bone is not thick enough. This technique is performed to build a bone by filling the space above the alveolar bone, called the maxillary sinus, with a bone filler or other materials. Advantages: Sinus lift is a treatment method that allows extensive bone creation so that longer implants can be used. It is a treatment method known worldwide for its long-lasting effects, and many articles have been written about it. Additionally, because the treated area is visible, the risk is relatively low.
Disadvantages: Extensive osteogenesis means a larger surgical area, and the treatment period is longer if the sinus lift and implant placement are done separately as a two-stage procedure. The use of expensive bone replacement materials also places a burden on the patient’s body and finances.
Socket lift Socket lift is a type of osteogenic surgery applied to maxillary implant treatment. The bottom of the maxillary sinus is surgically lifted to create a space, and a bone replacement material (either your own bone or artificial bone) is grafted into the space to regenerate the alveolar bone (the bone that supports the teeth). When an implant is placed in the upper jaw, if the alveolar bone is still thin, it is impossible to place and settle the implant because of the weak foundation. In such cases, the socket lift regenerates the alveolar bone through regenerative surgery, allowing the implant body to be placed in the maxillary region. Like sinus lift, socket lift is an alveolar bone regeneration technique performed when the maxillary bone is not thick enough. This technique is performed to build a bone by filling the space above the alveolar bone, called the maxillary sinus, with a bone filler and other materials. It is performed when the thickness of the maxillary bone is generally 5 mm or more. Advantages: It is a type of bone regeneration surgery that involves the grafting of bone augmentation material, but the scope of the surgical procedure can be reduced. The surgical procedure is less stressful on the body.
The procedures for placing the implant body can be performed at the same time. Therefore, the overall treatment time can be shortened.
Disadvantages: It is assumed that a certain amount of alveolar bone thickness (3–5 mm) remains. If the alveolar bone is not more than 5 mm, the treatment may not be possible. Furthermore, the scope of the surgical procedure is narrow. It can reduce the burden on the body, but the range of bone that can be regenerated is also narrower. The condition of the maxillary sinus cannot be visually confirmed during the surgery. Therefore, there is a risk of damage to the maxillary sinus, resulting in sinusitis or sinusitis.
GBR (guided bone regeneration) GBR is a method of regenerating the alveolar bone when the bone thickness or height is insufficient for implant treatment. Once the alveolar bone is lost due to bone resorption caused by severe periodontal disease or bone loss after tooth extraction, it becomes difficult to place an implant in that area. In such bone-deficient areas, “fibroblasts”, which do not form bone, tend to proliferate more easily than “osteoblasts”, which form bone. Therefore, in GBR, the area to be treated is covered with a “membrane” to prevent fibroblasts from invading the area and filling it with autologous bone or an artificial bone replacement material to promote the proliferation of osteoblasts. While sinus lift and socket lift are performed to build bone inside the alveolar bone (jaw bone), GBR is performed to build bone outside the alveolar bone (i.e., the surface where the bone meets the gums). It is performed when the alveolar bone is not wide or high enough. Advantages: By increasing the amount of bone, it is possible to “secure the amount of bone” necessary for implant placement and to place the implant in the appropriate position, which results in “high stability”.
Disadvantages: When using autologous bone, “bone harvesting surgery” is required separately from implant placement, “treatment time is long”, and “it is not suitable for smokers and diabetics”.
Socket preservation Socket preservation is an alveolar bone preservation technique used to minimize bone resorption by placing a bone filler in the extraction socket and sealing the gingiva at the time of tooth extraction. This technique is effective in cases of significant alveolar bone resorption or when a tooth is to be extracted, but an implant is desired in the future. Socket preservation is a prophylactic technique to prevent “bone resorption” after tooth extraction. This technique is performed in conjunction with tooth extraction. Advantages: The purpose of extraction is to prevent bone resorption after tooth extraction and to preserve the alveolar crest morphology rather than to perform an osteogenic procedure. If the alveolar crest is preserved, it can be used to support later dental implants or bridges.
Disadvantages: This technique is not applicable if bone resorption is severe during tooth extraction.