Radiographic evaluation of the tenting screw technique in horizontal alveolar bone augmentation: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To radiographically analyze the effects of tenting screw technique (TS) and onlay bone grafts (OG) in horizontal bone augmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients receiving horizontal bone augmentation by TS or OG were selected. The clinical outcomes and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data were documented pre-grafting, immediately post-grafting, before and after implantation. The survival rates, clinical complications, alveolar bone width, and volumetric bone augmentation were evaluated and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 25 patients and 41 implants were involved in this study, with no grafting failures observed in either the TS group (n = 20) or the onlay group (n = 21). Volumetric bone resorption rate in the TS group (21.34%) was significantly lower than that of the OG group (29.38%). In addition, significant horizontal bone gain was achieved in both groups (TS: 6.15 +/- 2.12 mm; OG: 4.86 +/- 1.40 mm) during the recovery period, with higher gain in the TS group. No apparent statistical difference in terms of volumetric bone gain was observed between the TS (748.53 mm(3) , 607.47 mm(3) ) and OG group (811.77 mm(3) , 508.49 mm(3) ) immediately post-grafting or after the recovery period. CONCLUSION: Both TS and OG achieved satisfactory bone augmentation effects, yet TS resulted in more bone augmentation and better stability than OG, with a reduced use of autogenous bone. Overall, the tenting screw technique can serve as an effective alternative to autogenous bone grafts.