Introduction:

the bony atrophy of the maxillary ridge is always a limitation to install dental implants. The Ridge Split procedure proves to be a successful technique to perform the management of horizontal defects, increasing the dimensions of the atrophic ridge to immediately install dental implants.

Aim:

to describe the clinical use of the Ridge Split technique as a treatment for bone augmentation in the horizontal direction of the atrophic maxilla. Case presentation: the case of a female patient of 61 years of age, partially edentulous, who seeks to recover her upper teeth was presented. The clinical examination shows only two teeth and the radiographic-tomographic examination showed severe bone resorption and pneumatization of the maxillary sinuses. It is planned to install two implants to make an over denture, using the Ridge Split technique and immediate installation of the implants. Five months later, a tomographic control was performed evidencing a horizontal increase of the alveolar ridge and it was rehabilitated with an overdenture, with which the patient's aesthetic and functional compliance was achieved.

Conclusion:

the presented case reveals that this technique increases the bone ridge in horizontal direction and allows to install the implants simultaneously. It is a predictable, safe and comfortable treatment, and shortens the treatment time, making it a viable alternative for the management of alveolar bone defects.