The book flap: a technical note.
OBJECTIVE
To present a useful technique for widening the thin alveolar ridge for placement of an implant or bone graft.


METHODS
A partial soft tissue flap is elevated over the alveolar ridge and the ridge is split with an osteotome. The technique out-fractures the buccal plate and maintains the labial soft tissue to preserve the blood supply to the buccal bone.


RESULTS
The book flap has been employed in over 500 cases over the past 12 years. Approximately 90% were successful in providing adequate width to accommodate an implant. Infection occurred in approximately 2% of cases. The average gain in width was around 3 mm.


CONCLUSIONS
This technique can be employed often and has a very low complication rate.
Jensen
Ole T
OT
Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, CS3.104, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
Ellis
Edward
E
D000540:Alveolar Ridge Augmentation / Q000379:methods*; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D006801:Humans; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply
D018786:Bone Substitutes