Abstract

Background: This study was undertaken to comparatively analyse the immediate and delayed ridge expansion techniques for early prosthetic rehabilitation in patients with atrophic posterior edentulous mandibular region. Material and Methods: Patients reporting for replacement of mandibular posterior teeth were included in the study. The forty patients were randomly selected and divided into two groups of twenty each: Group-I patients undergoing immediate ridge expansion along with placement of implants and Group-II patients undergoing delayed (staged) ridge expansion with placement of implants. Implants were loaded in a conventional manner after six months. Crestal bone loss(six and twelve months post implant placement) and bone width gain (base line and post operative) was assessed. Crestal bone loss was evaluated using standardised radiographs using radiovisiograph (RVG). Bone width was evaluated using Cone Beam CT.