The Effect Of Single Versus Double Screws In Tenting Screw Technique For Horizontal Ridge Augmentation Before Dental Implant Placement: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Objectives: Dental implants have emerged as a significant therapeutic modality for partial and total edentulism.  Elevated failure rates have been linked to implants positioned in resorbed ridges with inadequate alveolar bone architecture. Objectives: The aim of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of screw tent technique in horizontal ridge augmentation and compare the effect of using single screw versus double screws on obtaining maximum bone gain.

Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 16 patients requiring horizontal ridge augmentation (class I Seibert’s classification) in premolar and molar area aged from 20 to 55 years old, both sexes. Patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups: Group A indicated for lateral ridge augmentation in premolar-molar area was candidates for screw tent technique using single screw at crest position, and group B indicated for lateral ridge augmentation in premolar-molar area was candidates for screw tent technique using double screws, one at a crestal position and the other one 5 mm apical to the first one.

Results: Regarding clinical and radiographic data, the amount of bone width gains both at alveolar crest and 5mm apically was statistically significant for both groups (P <0.05). No significant difference was observed between group A and group B preoperative, and 6 months postoperative regarding width at alveolar crest and width at 5 mm apically (P>0.05).

Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that the screw tenting technique is effective for horizontal ridge augmentation. Both groups showed comparable improvements in alveolar ridge width after six months. So, using double screws doesn’t provide any clinical or radiographic significance over using single screw for horizontal ridge augmentation in screw tenting technique.