title: Biomechanical comparison of a novel engine-driven ridge spreader and conventional ridge splitting techniques.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ridge splitting techniques are used for horizontal ridge augmentation in implant dentistry. Recently, a novel engine-driven ridge splitting technique was introduced. This study compared the mechanical forces produced by conventional and engine-driven ridge splitting techniques in porcine mandibles.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 33 pigs, mandibular premolar areas were selected for the ridge splitting procedures, designed as a randomized split-mouth study. The conventional group underwent a chisel-and-mallet procedure (control group, n = 20), and percussive impulse (Newton second, Ns) was measured using a sensor attached to the mallet. In the engine-driven ridge spreader group (test group, n = 23), a load cell was used to measure torque values (Newton centimeter, Ncm). Horizontal acceleration generated during procedures (control group, n = 10 and test group, n = 10) was compared between the groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After ridge splitting, the alveolar crest width was significantly increased both in the control (1.23 ± 0.45 mm) and test (0.98 ± 0.41 mm) groups with no significant differences between the groups. The average impulse of the control group was 4.74 ± 1.05 Ns. Torque generated by rotation in the test group was 9.07 ± 2.15 Ncm. Horizontal acceleration was significantly less in the test group (0.82 ± 1.05 g) than the control group (64.07 ± 42.62 g) (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Narrow edentulous ridges can be expanded by novel engine-driven ridge spreaders. Within the limits of this study, the results suggested that an engine-driven ridge splitting technique may be less traumatic and less invasive than a conventional ridge splitting technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Gyu-Un
authors.initials: GU
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Convergence Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jun Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Convergence Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Nam Hun
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Convergence Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Gil Ho
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-Young
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2364-8366
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000601:surgery; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000601:surgery*; D000540:Alveolar Ridge Augmentation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D034421:Sus scrofa; D013552:Swine
keywords: alveolar bone loss; alveolar ridge augmentation; bone grafting; dental implants